Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund

Celebrating Renfrewshire is a fund designed by and for young people aged between 12 to 25, where they have a direct say on which projects are funded in their local area.

The Celebrating Renfrewshire fund uses a participatory budgeting model for fund allocation. This is a democratic process in which community members decide how to spend part of a public budget and is a way for people to have a direct say in how local money is spent.

All young people aged 12 to 25 who live, go to school or work in Renfrewshire can vote on the projects they want to see delivered in their Local Partnership area. We’ll do this in partnership with community groups, organisations, and schools.

If you are a group or organisation and have young people who wish to vote, you can contact celebratingren@renfrewshire.gov.uk for a support pack and voting guidance for all your young people.

Young people between 12 and 25

Anyone aged between 12 to 25 in Renfrewshire can apply.

A young person can apply on their own or in a group with other young people aged 12 to 25.

They’ll need to have the support of a voluntary or community organisation to apply.

Contact our Connected Communities Team if your school is not making an application and you’re looking for a suitable group to work with.

Voluntary groups, community organisations, and charities

Any voluntary group, community organisation, or charity that provides services to young people in Renfrewshire can apply.

The organisation must:

• be based in Renfrewshire
• have a constitution
• have a bank account
• be managed by members of the community.

Individuals

Contact Engage Renfrewshire or our Connecting Communities Team if you’re an individual and you need a constituted group to work with.

Schools

Renfrewshire schools can apply through their parent councils for projects that will benefit young people and the wider community if they have endorsement from their pupil council.

We only accept one application per school parent council.

Each school is responsible for deciding which application from the parent council should go forward for a public vote. This includes the pupils, teachers, and parents.

The school will need to evidence their work with the parent council and show how they’ve involved young people in identifying a project they want funding for.

Examples of evidence can include:

• the signatures, names, and roles of the young people involved on the application form
• photos of the sessions
• minutes of the planning meetings.

Community planning partners

Community planning partners can submit applications for funding  but cannot submit applications for projects that are regarded as core functions.

Council services

Renfrewshire Council services and teams cannot apply.

We are looking for projects and ideas that will:

• benefit young people aged 12 to 25 years
• demonstrate real benefit to the local area by improving or complementing existing services
• encourage equal opportunities.

Project priorities for applications

Projects should contribute to one or more of these priorities selected by local young people. 

Physical and mental health and wellbeing

Physical and mental health and wellbeing such as:

• projects that support positive mental health and emotional wellbeing - helping young people build confidence, resilience, and self-esteem
• activities that improve access to support services, advice and guidance - ensuring young people can get the help they need
• initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity, social connection, and wellbeing-focused activities
• programmes that help young people manage anxiety and stress - providing practical tools and coping strategies to improve wellbeing.

Safety in schools and communities

Safety in schools and communities such as:

• projects that address bullying, intimidation, and violence between peers - helping to create safer and more inclusive environments
• activities that increase feelings of safety in schools, neighbourhoods, and public spaces.
• initiatives that respond to community concerns and promote positive behaviour around schools and other local facilities
• programmes that encourage respect, positive relationships, and support young people to make safe and informed choices.

Cost of living

Cost of living ideas such as:

• projects that support young people and families experiencing financial pressures and the impact of rising everyday costs
• activities that reduce barriers to participation by providing affordable or low-cost opportunities
• initiatives that improve access to services, activities, and opportunities for those facing financial hardship
• programmes that help people build financial resilience, reduce social isolation, and improve wellbeing during periods of economic pressure.

Improving youth and community spaces

Improving youth and community spaces such as: 

• projects that create welcoming, youth-friendly facilities where people can meet, socialise, and take part in activities
• activities that improve access to safe, inclusive, and accessible community venues for all young people
• initiatives that provide positive spaces for young people to connect, build relationships, and participate in their communities
• projects that involve young people in the design, development, and improvement of local spaces and facilities.

More things to do

More things to do such as:

• projects that provide recreational, social, and creative activities for young people aged 12 to 25
• activities that offer positive opportunities during evenings, weekends, and school holidays.
• initiatives that help young people develop new skills, build confidence, and pursue their interests
• programmes that bring young people together through social events, community activities, and shared experiences.

What the funding cannot be used for

Funding cannot be used for:

• activities that have already happened
• projects that exist mainly to further religious or political beliefs
• trips abroad or hospitality to other organisations.

You can apply to fund a project in any of Renfrewshire's 7 Local Partnership areas:

• Paisley North, West & Central – a large central urban area
• Paisley East – the eastern part of Paisley
• Gleniffer – south‑west of Paisley
• Renfrew – a town near the River Clyde
• Inchinnan, Erskine, Bishopton & Langbank – northern riverside communities
• The Villages – smaller rural settlements like Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch
• Johnstone & Linwood – western towns and nearby areas.

Applications for one Local Partnership area

You can apply for up to £3,500 to deliver activities within a single Local Partnership Area.

You can submit up to 2 applications per Local Partnership Area for different projects.

Applications for multiple Local Partnership areas

You can submit multiple applications if you’re applying for more than one Local Partnership area.

These can be for one project across several Local Partnership areas, or different projects in different Local Partnership areas.

Each application:

• must clearly explain how local young people will benefit in that specific area
• must relate to a specific area
• clearly demonstrate local need, youth involvement and the expected impact of the project.

Higher funding for priority areas

Through consultation with local partners and young people, we have identified three areas where there is currently limited youth provision:

• The Villages
• Gleniffer
• Paisley East.

There is a higher level of funding is available for projects in these areas to help increase opportunities for young people there.

You can apply for maximum grant of £5,000, rather than £3,500, per application.

Your application must:

• clearly demonstrate how it will benefit young people in these communities 
• address local needs.

Information you need to include in your application 

Section 1 - organisation details

We’ll need these details about your organisation:

• name of organisation
  • if you’re a voluntary or community organisation, this must be the same name that appears on your constitution, annual accounts, and bank accounts
  • If you are a school, your parent council must apply on your behalf.
• the registered address of your organisation
• contact name - this person should have authority to submit the application for the organisation and be contactable throughout the duration of the application process
• a contact number and email address
• position in organisation - the role of the person within the organisation, such as the chairperson, secretary, or another position
• a brief statement - no more than 100 words - of the overall purpose and aims of your organisation or group
• your legal status
• if you’ve received Celebrating Renfrewshire Funding last year and if you’ve submitted an evaluation of last year's project - if you haven't, contact the Celebrating Renfrewshire team at celebratingren@renfrewshire.gov.uk 
• required documents if your application is successful
• if your project will support and benefit the care experienced community - your application must encourage equality of opportunity.
• your organisation’s child protection policy or PVG registration if you have one.

Section 2 - project proposal

We need this information about your proposal:

• which Local Partnership area you’re applying for – if it’s more than one, you’ll you need to submit the proposal for each Local Partnership you’re applying in
• the amount you are applying for each Local Partnership area - it must add up to the total amount you are requesting from the Celebrating Renfrewshire fund
• how you will evidence the number of young people who will benefit from your project in each area selected
• name of project
• the dates you estimate when your project will start and finish - the project must be completed by 31 March 2026
• the purpose of your project and how it meets the priorities for Celebrating Renfrewshire - outline how the project will benefit young people in each Local partnership you’re applying for
• how you have identified the need for your project, such as local data or plans, or how you have involved young people in the development of your project
• a short summary less than 100 words that explains the advantages and benefits of your project idea
• how many of the Celebrating Renfrewshire priorities your project will contribute to
• total cost of your project
• how much funding you’re applying for.

Section 3 - declaration

This section should be completed by the person who has the authority to submit the application on behalf of the organisation applying for funding.

It should also include details of a young person who knows your organisation and supports the project idea in your application.

You’ll need to attend an online support session to discuss applying for the fund.

Support sessions will take place online using Microsoft Teams. 

The dates for the online support sessions are:

• Friday 21 August at 11am
• Tuesday 25 August at 2pm
• Wednesday 26 August at 6pm
• Friday 28 August at 11am
• Tuesday 1 September at 11am
• Wednesday 2 September at 6.30pm

Register for an online support session

We'll send you an application form after you have attended the support session.

Make sure you have read the detailed guidance above on how to complete and submit an application.

If you’d like help with completing your application, contact Kellie Howard on 0141 487 1508 or email the Celebrating Renfrewshire team at celebratingren@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

We’ll let you know within 3 weeks after the closing date if your application has been successful or not, and if it will go forward to the voting stage.

Details of how young people can vote for the shortlisted projects will be available soon thereafter. 

If you’re awarded funding

If your organisation is awarded funding, we'll make grant payments by BACS transfer to the organisation's bank details included in your application. 

We will not make payments to individual or personal accounts.

You cannot transfer the grant to another organisation or entity.

Conditions of the grant

You must accept and comply with the grant conditions. You’ll also need to report back on the impact the project has had once the funds have been spent.

We’ll ask for receipts or invoices as evidence the grant has been spent or when it has been spent as detailed in your project application.

Evaluation of your project

When your project has been completed, you'll need to show us it's outputs and outcomes. 

Outputs are the tangible results of an activity, service, or project. They show the completion of your project's activities.

Outcomes are the overall impact or value created by your project. They show how you've achieved your project's objectives.

This will help measure the difference that Celebrating Renfrewshire funding has made in your community.

We’ll let you know how you can tell us about your project's outputs and outcomes.