Community and neighbourhood issues

Our Summer of Fun programme aims to deliver free activities and events for families, children, and young people during the school summer holidays.

Our Summer of Fun Programme Fund supports voluntary and community organisations in Renfrewshire to provide activities for low-income families and communities which may not have access to mainstream activities.

The fund is available to constituted voluntary and community organisations that have a bank account.

The fund is not open for applications to support individuals.

Grant funding of up to £3,000 is available for projects led by voluntary and community organisations to deliver activities for low-income families in Renfrewshire between July and August 2026.

Funding can cover single events or programmes of activities taking place in Renfrewshire. These can be for whole families or for children and young people of different age groups.

Activities can be during the day, in the evenings, during the week or at weekends.

Funding can cover costs such as:

• venues
• activity costs
• sessional staff or volunteer expenses
• food
• items to reduce costs for families, such as transport.

Funding can cover the total cost of a project or additional costs to make existing activities more accessible for low-income families.

Funding for day trips will not be prioritised, but these may be funded or part funded as part of a wider programme of activity that is being delivered through council or external funding.

Smaller awards are also available for organisations with existing activities over the summer to provide healthy snacks or meals.

Your application should describe the activity you want to host and how it meets the needs of the local community.

You must also describe how the project meets the following principles:

• activities must be free, with no hidden or additional costs
• healthy snacks should be provided, or lunch if the activity lasts all day
• activities should be inclusive, welcoming, respectful, and safe
• it must comply with requirements around safeguarding, child protection, and food hygiene, as appropriate
• it must be able or willing to provide connections to other services and support.

Your activities must also reach at least one of the following areas:

• families in the 6 child poverty priority groups: lone parents; families where someone in the house has a disability; black and minority ethnic families; families where the mum is under 25; families with 3 or more children; and families with a child under 1
• geographical areas where there are not many activities happening, or where it is difficult to access activities because of issues such as the availability or affordability of public transport
• age groups that might not feel catered for in other activities, such as pre-schoolers or older teenagers
• particular groups of children and young people, such as care experienced children and young people or those from equality groups
• any other gaps or barriers families, children, and young people may face.

Apply for the Summer of Fun Programme Fund

We cannot guarantee that every application will receive funding due to the expected high number of applications, so we suggest that you submit your application as early as possible.

The fund will remain open until we have awarded all available funding.

If you need a paper copy or any support to apply, email andrena.faulkner@renfrewshire.gov.uk or alice.holmes@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Applications for the Summer of Fun Programme Fund are now closed.

How we decide who gets funding

A panel of staff from Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, and Engage Renfrewshire will review your application.

We'll get in touch with you by email to let you know if your application has been successful or unsuccessful.

We may also get in touch to ask for further information about your application.

What happens if you're successful

We'll email you an award letter and standard grant terms and conditions which you must accept and follow.

We'll also ask for a copy of your constitution, a recent bank statement and a copy of your accounts (or income/expenditure statement) if we do not have a recent copy of these already on file. Return these to us quickly by email so we can process payment.

You'll be asked to report back on the impact your project has had once it has come to an end. We'll send you a feedback form to complete at the end of summer.

We'll carry out an evaluation of the programme using a mix of forms and visits to projects.

We'll also ask successful applicants to ask service users for their opinions on the activities provided.

If you would like to speak to someone about the application process or other funding opportunities, email andrena.faulkner@renfrewshire.gov.uk or alice.holmes@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

The Social Enterprise Small Grant grant is available to social enterprises and social economy organisations looking to grow or strengthen their enterprise activities and develop their organisations.

Successful applicants can receive up to £5,000.

You can apply for the grant if:

• you represent a social enterprise or social economy organisation
• your organisation is based in Renfrewshire
• your organisation's turnover is less than £500,000.

The grant can fund:

• capacity building work to acquire enterprise skills (developing skills, processes, and resources that your organisation needs to adapt and thrive)
• new equipment or resources related to delivering new products and services or extending your customer base - this could include staffing costs, IT office equipment, or improvements to your premises
• projects to create an economic impact, such as increasing revenue, reducing costs, or providing training opportunities
• part of the cost for a larger project or activity.

The grant cannot fund:

• work that has already happened
• individuals - you must represent an organisation
• projects intended to promote religious or political beliefs
• study visits (visiting other enterprising organisations and learning from them)
• the purchase of vehicles.

Before applying for the grant, you should make sure:

• your organisation has a written constitution and an appropriate governance structure, such as a management committee and board of trustees
• your organisation complies with the Equality Act 2010
• your organisation follows any relevant Disclosure Scotland and Protecting Vulnerable Group schemes
• you can show how you would manage the funds and use them constructively
• you can show how your proposed activity would support the types of projects described above.

See what other business grants and loans are available.

Contact our social enterprise officer about applying for the grant:

They will 

• talk to you about the application process
• give you any advice or support you need
• send you an application form.

We'll accept applications until the fund's budget is fully awarded, so apply as soon as you can so you do not miss out.

We'll review your application and aim to let you know our decision within 4 to 6 weeks.

This fund is for rural community-led groups to develop and run project-based activities that:  

• build connections with the Local Area Group network and the business sector to  
• make positive changes within their communities.

Organisations and groups who can apply are: 

• CICs
• SCIOs
• Development Trusts
• Community Groups
• Volunteer Groups
• Social Enterprises
• Businesses. 

We do not accept applications from individuals for this fund.

Your group or organisation must have a bank account.

The funding can be used for either revenue or capital spending. 

Revenue expenses are typically operating costs such as wages or costs for consultation or studies conducted as preparatory work. 

Capital expenses are typically fixed assets such as equipment or small-scale building works. 

Your proposal should demonstrate how it aims to meet the one of following GRI LAG priorities including: 

• encourage and support rural communities and villages
• address climate change
• increase and sustain local rural businesses, micro businesses and social enterprises
• address inclusion, diversity and equality and rural poverty issues (including child poverty, food security and support for working families)
• create specific opportunities for young people
• foster partnership working 

Your project must align with the:  

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Scottish National Performance Framework
• one or more of the Scottish Government's current spending priorities:
  • eradicating child poverty
  • growing the economy
  • tackling the climate emergency
  • improving public services. 

You can find the full application criteria on the GRI LAG website.

Match funding

You are highly encouraged to seek match funding from the private, public and third sectors to maximise value for money and impact of the CLLD fund. Match funding must be confirmed before the project can start.

Enquires and expressions of interest

You can make enquires or expressions of interest about the Rural Community Led Local Development Fund in the Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Local Action Group (GRI LAG) website.

You can find the full application criteria and details about how to apply on the GRI LAG website

Apply on the GRI LAG website

If you need help to apply, or information in another format, contact Keren Ferguson at keren.ferguson@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

We will let applicants know by Friday 19 June2026 if they will receive funding.

If you are awarded funding, you'll receive a follow up letter offering the grant within 7 days, along with the terms and conditions, which you'll need to to accept before starting your project.

The Sustainable Communities Fund can provide investment for community organisations to identify, develop or sustain local projects that have a range of social, environmental, or economic benefits.

The fund can also support and enable local organisations to take on land or buildings through a Community Asset Transfer.

The aim of the fund is to support infrastructure and place-based projects across Renfrewshire that will:

• improve the lives of local people
• build resilient communities through sustainable activities.
• advance equality of opportunity and improve accessibility and inclusivity. 

Community and voluntary organisations

The Sustainable Communities Fund is open to any community or voluntary organisation who:

• are based in Renfrewshire
• has a constitution
• has an organisational bank account
• its members control the direction of the organisation.

Membership organisations

Membership organisations, such as sports clubs, can apply to the fund. However, your proposal must benefit to the wider community and not just the members of the organisation. 

The scale of benefit expected may mean that it will be challenging for member organisations to be successful in their application. 

Organisations interested in or applying for Community Asset Transfers

If you're looking at the feasibility of a Community Asset Transfer, your organisation doesn't need to be a Community Transfer Body. 

However, if you're applying for funding towards a Community Asset Transfer, or developing a transferred community asset, your organisation must be eligible as a Community Transfer Body. 

It's not a requirement for applying for this fund, but your organisation should be working towards this status. 

However, funding towards exploring or developing a transferred asset is not an indicator that your request for the asset transfer will be successful. Each request for a community asset transfer is considered individually and on its own merits.

Find out more about Community Asset Transfers.

Funding can be used for revenue costs, capital costs or both. 

Revenue funding can be used for: 

• certain types of one-off costs, such as professional fees, marketing, feasibility studies or business plans
• recurring costs such as salaries and overheads - however, this does not cover reoccurring costs after the first year.

Capital funding is for specific one-off costs, like building works, refurbishment or setting up a project with tools, equipment, furniture, technology or energy saving devices.

The fund is designed to support the progression and development of projects. So, you could apply to fund a feasibility study into procuring an asset, which could then progress to applying for capital funding for works to that asset. 

However, you cannot apply for funding of different projects in the same organisation.

Types of projects we will fund

Community capacity and wealth building projects

Community capacity and wealth building projects that empower local groups to explore asset transfer and develop place-based infrastructure initiatives. 

This can include:

• conducting feasibility studies into asset transfers
• encouraging volunteering
• reshaping local relationships and enhancing local infrastructure to promote well-being
• supporting skills development
• establishing community enterprises that deliver local benefits and opportunities.

Local natural spaces

Local natural spaces that support health and wellbeing and focus on benefiting communities in need of green spaces by:

• increasing access to nature including creating or improving green and blue infrastructure
• incorporating nature into wider public spaces  
• providing or increasing positive and healthy activities for local communities.

Place-based investments

Place-based investments that focus on improving community spaces and enhancing community assets by:

• boosting facility usage and accessibility or making physical alterations to community buildings or spaces
• new infrastructure projects
• building resilience against climate change through local projects and engagement that increase biodiversity, enhance active travel, promote local food growing or build knowledge of the climate emergency.

There are 3 tiers of funding you can apply for, depending on the size and scope of your project proposal.

If you’re applying for intermediate or large funding amounts, we’ll need evidence and information for the higher level of funding you’re applying for.

Small awards up to £10,000

Small awards could be used for:

• purchase of small items of equipment
• looking into projects to restore or regenerate property
• community engagement initiatives like surveys, information sessions or events
• volunteer development programmes
• small climate change interventions.

We'll also consider applications for small capital investments. 

You’ll need to provide either a: 

• minimum of one external quote
• detailed list of items you want to purchase, unit costs for each item and the names of the suppliers or retailers.

Intermediate awards between £10,000 and £25,000

Intermediate awards could be used for capital or revenue costs towards:

• feasibility studies or business plans for property development or community asset transfers
• project management costs.

You will need to provide either a minimum of 3 external quotes with your application for all costs, for example, commissioning consultants, building works or the process you will use to select. 

Large awards up to £100,000

Large awards could be used for capital costs towards plans to take ownership or redevelop land or buildings in your local community.

In your application, you’ll need to provide us with a 

• detailed brief
• minimum of 4 external quotes for all costs, as well as the process you will use to select providers.  

If you apply for more than £25,000 or more

You will need to meet with a funding officer  to discuss your application and its proposed outcomes to make sure it:

• aligns to the council’s plans and priorities
• is achievable and sustainable.

If you apply for £50,000 or more

You will need to demonstrate:

• there is a robust business case for the project
• your organisation has been successful in levering in  external funding for the project
• you have developed an overall financial strategy for the project
• you can commit to using any allocated funding within a period acceptable to the Council and to UK government funding requirements.

Your organisation needs to either:

• have undertaken extensive community engagement regarding the project, including establishing strong relationships and partnerships in the local area
• be recognised as a key strategic partner with Renfrewshire Council or has a formal Strategic Partnership Agreement with us.

Funding subsidies

Some funding may qualify as a subsidy under the UK Government Subsidy Control Regime.

A subsidy is where a public authority provides support to a business in a way that gives them advantage over a competitor.

If it does, you need to confirm if all the public grants your organisation has received in the last three years, including this fund, is less than £350,000.

Your proposal

You need to discuss your proposal with us before you make a formal application. This will help you know if your proposal is eligible and feasible.  We will give you initial feedback on your proposal and ask you for more information if we need it.
Email us at communityplanning@renfrewshire.gov.uk or phone us on 0141 487 1508.

Funding criteria

Your proposal should demonstrate how it aims to meet the following funding criteria:

Community engagement and participation

Community engagement and participation with:

• evidence of how you have involved the community in the development of your project, and they support your plans
• evidence of how the community will have a voice in the delivery and oversight of your project
• your commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, making sure that different types of people are supported and empowered to engage with your project.

Positive impact for local communities 

Positive impact for local communities by identifying:

• the community need for your project
• the changes your project will bring, setting out clear outputs and outcomes for your project
• who will benefit from these changes and what wider community benefits the project will have
• what actions you will take to measure, monitor, and evaluate positive change from your project.

Viability and sustainability

Viability and sustainability by demonstrating:

• how your project will continue after the grant has been used, including how you will fund activity going forward or implement proposals following a feasibility or business plan
• how this grant will increase the financial sustainability of your organisation by reducing dependency on funding or generating revenue
• your organisation has the appropriate skills, experience, and qualifications to deliver the project, or has a plan for engaging people who do
• your project will work with existing facilities and provisions in the local area
• evidence of any necessary building and planning permissions or consents for your project
• you will be able to deliver the project within an appropriate period.

Strategic alignment with the fund objectives and criteria

Strategic alignment with the fund objectives and criteria by demonstrating:

• how your project aligns with one or more of the fund objectives
• how your project meets the 7 best value themes of clear vision and leadership, governance and accountability, effective use of resources, partnership and collaborative working, sustainability, working with communities, and fairness and equality.

Your proposal should closely align with the themes and aims of the:

• Renfrewshire Council Plan 2022 to 2027
• Our Renfrewshire Community Plan
• Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero.

Information you need to include in your application

You’ll need to give us:

• a detailed description of your project including timelines
• basic information about your organisation and its governance arrangements
• details of all the costs associated with your project including those that you are applying for
• which tier of funding you’re applying for
• the outputs and outcomes you want achieve and how you will measure these.

Outputs and outcomes

You must specify the outputs and outcomes your project aims to achieve and how you will measure them.

Outputs are the result of activity. For example, if the project is to create a community garden, the output will be the garden itself, an improvement to public space, or a new amenity or space for public use.

Outcomes are the product or impact of activity or the added value of carrying out the activity. For example, the outcomes of a community garden may be an improvement in biodiversity or an increase in public health and social wellbeing. 

Financial and organisational information

Your application needs to include:

• a bank statement less than 3 months old
• a copy of your most recent annual accounts or an income and expenditure statement - these should be less than 15 months old, dated and signed as approved - you can include a link to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or to a Companies House submitted file
• a signed, dated copy of the organisation’s Constitution or Memorandum and Articles of Association - you can include a link to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or to a Companies House submitted file.

If it’s a new organisation, you should submit estimates of income and expenditure for the first 12 months. 

Quotes, consents and plans

Where relevant, you may need to give us a minimum number of quotes with your application, proportionate to the level and type of funding you’re applying for:

• Revenue of less than £10K – you do not need external quotes, but you must be able to justify costs and explain your rationale.
• Capital less than £10K – a minimum of one external quote or a detailed list of items to be purchased with unit costs, the name of supplier or retailer and your rationale.
• Capital or revenue between £10,000 and £25,000 – a minimum of 3 external quotes and selection process
• Capital or revenue over £25,000 – a detailed brief and minimum of 4 external quotes along with the selection process.

Statutory consents

If you’re applying for a capital grant involving building works, you’ll need to provide evidence of applications for planning or building warrants or consents, including their reference numbers.

Plans and strategies

You’ll need to give us a business plan or funding strategy if you’re applying for more than £25,000.

Other relevant information

You can also include any other relevant reports or information to support your application like media coverage, press cuttings, images, past publicity materials, reviews or letters of support. 
Please provide them as a PDF file where possible. 

Apply online

If you need help with your application, or you need an application form in another format, email us at communityplanning@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

Evaluation of applications

The Funding Panel, who are officers from across the council, evaluate all applications against the funding criteria.

They will:

• consider how your application meets the criteria
• make a recommendation [or not] to the Communities and Housing Policy Board.

The board will make the final decision on your application. 

All applications are seen by the Communities and Housing Policy Board, whether they are recommended for approval or not.

The Board decision dates are:

• 11 March 2025
• 13 May 2025
• 19 August 2025
• 28 October 2025.

How long it’ll take

We'll let you know shortly after your application has been reviewed by the Board. 

If you're successful, you'll receive an award agreement by email:
•    stating the purpose of the award 
•    containing our terms and conditions
•    outlining what our monitoring and feedback requirements are.

It will also contain forms you'll need to fill in to accept and claim your award. 

Read your award letter carefully and keep it safe for future reference. 

After you receive funding

Your grant should be specifically used for what you've applied for, and you must discuss any proposed changes with us in advance.

You should also keep all receipts and evidence of expenditure.

Payments for goods and services must be made directly from the organisation's bank account, not by cash, as we may request bank statements to verify what you spend on your project. You should make sure payments from the account are clearly noted.

We’ll work with you to monitor the outcomes delivered by your project. These will also be reported back to the Communities and Housing Policy Board.

If part of your award comes from UK Shared Prosperity Funding, we’ll also give feedback to the UK Government about your project’s outcomes.

The Cultural Organisations Fund (COF) supports established local organisations to undertake programmes of creative and cultural activity that delivers public benefit and aligns with the council’s strategic aims for culture.

The objectives of the fund are to:

• enable cultural organisations to deliver long-term engagement with the arts, culture, and heritage through engaging and innovative programming
• strengthen organisational sustainability that continues to raise cultural ambition in Renfrewshire
• support organisations which have an ongoing commitment to diversifying and expanding cultural participation.

How much you can apply for

There are 3 tiers of funding you can apply for:

• £10,000 a year, up to a total of £30,000 over 3 financial years
• £15,000 a year, up to a total of £45,000 over 3 financial years
• £20,000 a year, up to a total of £60,000 over 3 financial years.

However, funding is limited, and we may not be able to give grants to all eligible organisations. 

The funding period is from 17 July 2025 to 14 March 2028, and the fund can be used across 3 financial years.

Your organisation should be a formally registered company or charity whose primary purpose is promoting culture and creativity. 

This includes:

• charities registered in Scotland and undertaking activity related to the arts, creativity, and culture.
• companies limited by guarantee that can clearly demonstrate their programme of work will promote the public good through arts and culture.
• community interest companies (CICs) registered at Companies House with a focus on arts and culture. 

Your organisation must:

• have a UK bank account in the same name as the organisation
• pay all hourly staff at least the National Living Wage
• pay freelance creative contracts in line with the Scottish Artists Union (SAU), Musicians Union (MU), or other relevant representative body’s rate.or other relevant representative body’s rate.

The funding can be used for programme or operational costs. 

Organisations can decide on the best use of the funds based on their needs and priorities throughout the 3-year funding period. 

However, a minimum of 40% of each annual budget must be allocated to programming. 

Programming costs

Funding can be used to undertake programmes of creative and culture activity including:

• promoting local culture and history from across the region
• improving the wellbeing of communities through engagement in cultural activity
• producing innovative cultural experiences in Renfrewshire for residents and visitors
• revitalising civic spaces in Renfrewshire’s town centres through cultural production
• offering employment opportunities that demonstrate Renfrewshire’s cultural sector as a positive place to work. 

Operational costs

This can include contributions towards overhead costs, such as:

• rental
• staffing
• services
• building repairs to help keep cultural spaces open for the community.

Application guidance

Your application should demonstrate how your proposed activity represents good value for public money.

Make sure you have read the full Cultural Organisations Fund (COF) guidance before you start your application.

You also need to complete a Cultural Organisations Fund (COF) equalities monitoring form which you can upload to the online form.

If you have any questions applying for it, email us at  cof-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Information you need to tell us on your application

Operational details

You need to tell us:

• your organisation’s name, address, website (if you have one), registration number, organisational status and aims
• the details of the lead contact person
• operational details including number of employees, volunteers, or practitioners you work with
• your target demographic groups
• main and secondary artforms
• what geographical areas in Renfrewshire you deliver activity in.

Business plan

You need to provide us with a business plan that includes:

• a full description of the activities and services your organisation offers
• the organisation’s strategic aims and benefits to the community
• a breakdown of your organisation’s planned expenditure for 2025 to 2026, 2026 to 2027, and 2027 to 2028, including projected income and expenditure across operational, staffing, and programming costs
• an outline annual plan for 2025 to 2026 (maximum 2 pages).

Financial information

We also need this financial information:

• the organisation’s bank account details
• a bank statement less than 3 months old
• a copy of your most recent annual accounts or an income and expenditure statement - these should be less than 15 months old, dated and signed as approved (you can include a link to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or to a Companies House submitted file).

Organisation information

You will need to provide this information about your organisation:

• a signed, dated copy of the organisation’s constitution or memorandum and articles of association - you can include a link to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or to a Companies House submitted file
• your organisation’s safeguarding or child protection policies, if applicable
• your organisation’s equalities policy or clear evidence of commitment to equalities and diversity
• a completed equalities monitoring form using the template provided.

Any other relevant information

You can also add any other relevant information, ideally in PDF format, to support your application, such as:

• examples of previous work
• letters of support
• evidence of income from other sources
• CVs of artists or key staff involved in your project.

Before you start, you’ll need to register for MyAccount through mygov.scot. If you’ve already registered, you do not need to do it again.  

Help with registering and signing-in (mygov.scot).

You can save the form at any time by selecting Save at the bottom of any page of the form. 

You'll then get an email with a link to your saved draft. You can also access the saved draft from the 'My Requests' tab on the MyAccount home page.

We recommend you also keep a version of your application in a separate document. This is in case there are any connection issues while you are filling out the form and it’s not saved or submitted.

We cannot accept late applications. You must submit all required documents online by the deadline for us to consider your application.

If you need an application form in a different format, email cof-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
 

Information sessions

There are 2 online information sessions for prospective applicants:

• Tuesday 15 April 2025
• Wednesday 30 April 2025

Contact us at cof-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk to book your place at one of our information sessions. Let us know which date you want to attend.

If you need help to apply, email us at cof-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

We’ll check to make sure your application is eligible and complete. 

If it’s incomplete, we’ll contact you about the missing or incomplete information we need. You’ll have 5 working days to send us this information. 

If we do not get the information by then, your application will not be taken forward.

How we make a decision

We evaluate all applications based on these 3 criteria:

• how well the proposal fits with our 5 strategic aims for culture
• governance and management
• financial risk and mitigation.

You can read the full assessment criteria and scoring in Appendix 1 of the Cultural Organisations Fund (COF) guidance.

When we’ll tell you about your application

We’ll email you on Wednesday 16 July 2025 to let you know our decision.

If your organisation is awarded funding

You’ll receive an email with the grant offer letter, including information on payment schedules and reporting.

You’ll be expected to set annual targets with the council and report on the delivery of these aims at the end of each financial year.

If you do not get funding

If your organisation is not successful with your application, we’ll contact you to tell you why, but your application will not proceed any further. 

Contact us you have any questions about the fund.
 

The Culture, Heritage and Events Fund (CHEF) is a fund for artists, organisations and communities to support creative projects and events throughout Renfrewshire and beyond.

The purpose of the fund is to raise cultural ambition and stimulate new cultural, heritage and events activity, aiming to create long-lasting cultural, economic and social transformation in Renfrewshire.

The objectives of the fund

The objectives of the fund are to:

• increase the number of people taking part in creative activity in Renfrewshire
• increase opportunities for young people to develop their creative ambition
• stimulate the local economy
• realise the potential contribution creativity can make to education, social inclusion and quality of life
• broaden the network of people developing cultural and creative projects in Renfrewshire
• increase the number of people visiting Renfrewshire
• raise the profile of Renfrewshire throughout the UK.
  The Culture, Heritage and Events Fund is funded by Renfrewshire Council.

Round 14 funding is open to organisations and individuals based or working in Renfrewshire who want to create or develop cultural or heritage activities that benefit or engage communities in Renfrewshire. 

This includes:

• independent artists, designers, makers and producers
• artists collectives, cultural organisations and networks
• voluntary or community organisations
• schools, colleges and universities
• businesses including social enterprises and creative industries.

Support for applicants representing black and ethnic minority communities or new Scots

As part of our commitment to increasing cultural diversity through fund-supported activities and projects, you can get one-to-one support with your application if you are representing Black and ethnic minority communities or New Scots. 

If you would like this support, email us at chef-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
 

CHEF supports projects that encourage engagement and participation in cultural and heritage activities in Renfrewshire.

Activity supported includes:

• the production of new artistic work
• research and development for professional artists and creative organisations
• workshops
• performances
• festivals and events
• exhibitions
• tours
• other opportunities for residents and visitors to

Renfrewshire to engage with the arts, heritage and culture.
You cannot apply for activities that:

• are not related to culture, heritage and events
• do not benefit or engage people in Renfrewshire
• will start before 1 October 2025. 

You can apply for grants of up to £20,000. The average grant award in previous funding rounds was £8,621.

However, there is a cap on the funding, and it is expected demand will be high,  so we can't guarantee you'll get a grant or get the amount you've applied for.

You should demonstrate how your proposed activity represents good value for public money, and we encourage you to look for income from other sources and in-kind support where possible. 

In-kind support refers to non-cash contributions that directly benefit a project and reduce its overall cost, such as donations of goods, services, or time rather than money.

Information sessions

There are 2 online information sessions for prospective applicants:

• Tuesday 27 May 2025, from 10am to 11am
• Wednesday 4 June 2025 from 2pm to 3pm

Contact us at chef-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk to book your place at one of our information sessions. Let us know which date you want to attend.

Or if you can’t join the information sessions, and have questions about CHEF, email chef-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 
 

Application guidance

Make sure you have read the full Culture, Heritage and Events Fund (CHEF) guidance before you start your application.

Information you need to include in your application

Project details

If you’re an organisation, you’ll need to provide us with details of your proposed project:

• the name, start and end dates, purpose, identified needs, outcomes, monitoring and evaluation, and who is involved in its delivery
• number of participants or audience members, location of activities, and types of artforms or cultural specialities
• total project costs, amount of funding requested, and breakdown of individual items.

Operational details

You need to tell us:

• your organisation’s name, address, website (if you have one), organisational status, registration number, years in operation, and aims
• the details of the lead contact person
• number of employees, volunteers, or practitioners you work with
• the main activities of the organisation
• what geographical areas in Renfrewshire, Scotland or the UK you will deliver activity in.

Financial information

We also need this financial information:

• the organisation’s bank account details
• a bank statement less than 3 months old
• a copy of your most recent annual accounts or an income and expenditure statement - these should be less than 15 months old, dated and signed as approved - you can include a link to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or to a Companies House submitted file
• details of any funding you’ve received from us in the last 3 years.

If you’re a new organisation, you can provide us with estimates of income and expenditure for the first 12 months in operation.

Organisation information

You will need to provide this information about your organisation:

• a signed, dated copy of the organisation’s constitution or memorandum and articles of association - you can include a link to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or to a Companies House submitted file
• your organisation’s safeguarding or child protection policies, if applicable
• your organisation’s equalities policy or clear evidence of commitment to equalities and diversity
• a completed equalities monitoring form using the template provided.

Any other relevant information

You can also add any other relevant information, ideally in PDF format, to support your application, such as:

• examples of previous work
• letters of support

For individual applicants  

If you’re applying as an individual, you’ll need to provide us with: 

• the name, start and end dates, purpose, identified needs, outcomes, monitoring and evaluation, and who is involved in its delivery
• number of participants or audience members, location of activities, and types of artforms or cultural specialities
• total project costs, amount of funding requested, and breakdown of individual items
• details of any funding you’ve received from us in the last 3 years
• a photocopy of your identity (ID), like a passport, birth certificate, or driving licence - this is only to verify your identity and will not be retained beyond our eligibility checks
• your bank account details – so we can pay you if you are awarded a grant
• safeguarding or child protection policies, if applicable
• a completed equalities monitoring form using the template provided
• any other relevant information to support your application, such as examples of previous work or letters of support.

See our privacy policy on how we use your data.

Before you start, you’ll need to register for MyAccount through mygov.scot. If you’ve already registered, you do not need to do it again. 

Help with registering and signing-in (mygov.scot).

You can save the form at any time by selecting Save at the bottom of any page of the form. 

You'll then get an email with a link to your saved draft.

You can also access the saved draft from the 'Requests' tab on the MyAccount home page.

We recommend you also keep a version of your application in a separate document. This is in case there are any connection issues while you are filling out the form and it’s not saved or submitted. 

You’ll also need to complete and return an equalities monitoring form with your application. 
 

If you need help to apply or you need an application form in a different format, email chef-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

If you need to contact us about your application, email us at chef-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

How we make a decision

We’ll assess your application based on the criteria for the fund. 
We’ll email you on Tuesday 30 September 2025 to let you know our decision.    

How we pay the grant

If we award you a grant, we will pay this into your nominated bank account. 

This is usually a first instalment of 80% of the grant and a second and final instalment of the remaining 20%.

Conditions of the grant

Your project can run for any length of time, but it must be delivered between 1 October 2025 and 14 March 2028.

If you are not awarded a grant

If you’re not awarded a grant, you can ask for feedback on your application at chef-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

However, the decision is final, and unsuccessful applications will not be reviewed or reconsidered.

If you want more information about the fund or help with your application, email us at chef-enquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

A community council is a group of local people who volunteer to help improve the area they live in and the public services they use. 

They find out residents' views on issues and share those views with organisations that deliver services in the area - for example, Renfrewshire Council, the NHS, Police Scotland, and local businesses. They usually meet once a month.

Community councils also act as a focal point for community activity. They organise galas and events, deliver local community improvement projects, and mobilise community efforts to reduce the effects of severe winter weather.

You can find out more about community councils on the Scottish Community Councils website.

How a community council is established

Renfrewshire Council organises community council elections every four years. During elections, all current members must stand down, but they can go for re-election again.

If a community council receives more nominations than their maximum number of members, we'll hold a ballot election. If the number of nominated candidates is between the minimum and maximum number for that council, then those candidates will be elected automatically.

If there aren't enough nominations for a particular community council, that community council won't re-establish. We'll then call for more nominations.

Consultation

In 2025, we asked community councils in Renfrewshire, and anyone interested, to provide feedback on the draft Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils.

What happens after an election

After an election, Renfrewshire Council will verify the eligibility of all candidates before publishing the results of the election.

Newly elected community council members are then invited to attend the first meeting of the new community council.

Community councils in Renfrewshire

Renfrewshire has 25 distinct community council areas, with 21 currently having an active community council that represents all residents within their area.

Each community council has a set number of minimum and maximum members. 

Charleston, Glenburn, Gallowhill, and Hunterhill currently do not have active community councils.

Contact us at community-council.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk if you're interested in establishing a community council in these areas.