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.

Apply for the Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund

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.

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.

The Artificial Pitches Grant is artificial pitches, which could include a range of different surface types.

We'll consider funding for structures or accessories like fencing, goals, and floodlights, but these should be funded by another source, if possible. The main purpose of this fund is for the pitches themselves.

This fund is meant for organisations that already have match funding, or to help organisations get match funding. You can double the amount of funding you get by having match funding. This is when another organisation offers to give you funding based on a second organisation offering the same/similar amount.

This fund is for organisations to complete their advanced projects. It's not for small projects or new projects that need help getting started.

You can apply for this fund if your organisation either:

• owns land
• has a long-term lease on some land
• has a community asset transfer already underway.

You cannot apply if your project is for land that's owned by the council, such as schools or public parks without the above permissions.

Objectives of the fund

Make sure you can tell us how your project meets some or all of the fund objectives when you apply:

• Pitches may facilitate multi-sport activities, if possible, and be open and available for communities to access at weekends and evenings.
• Environmental and financial sustainability should be at the core of each project.
• Local communities should support the delivery of improved community provisions for sports. They should be aware of how a project will benefit their community.
• Each project should increase the levels of external funding brought into Renfrewshire from partner sports funders.
• Each project should strengthen community capacity in Renfrewshire and increase participation in sports.
• Pitches should be fully inclusive and usable in most weather conditions.
• New pitches must be on land already secured by the applicant, or there should be a community asset transfer already underway.

What your project needs to demonstrate 

Before you apply, make sure you can tell us how your project will meet these criteria.

Positive impact

Positive impact for local communities:

• You've identified that the community needs and supports your project.
• You've explained the benefits your project will bring to the community.
• You've explained the impact your project will have and how you'll know whether you've achieved the benefits.

Fits with the fund objectives and criteria

Strategic fit with the fund objectives and criteria:

• Your project meets some or all of the fund objectives, which are listed below. Projects that meet the most objectives are more likely to receive funding.
• Your project supports the strategic priorities of Renfrewshire Council and the 'Our Renfrewshire' community plan.
• Your project complements existing facilities and provisions in the local area. It should not duplicate existing services if you cannot show a need or demand from the local community for more facilities or provisions.

Viable and sustainable

The project is viable and sustainable:

• You can demonstrate how your project is financially viable by having or arranging a feasibility study.
• Your organisation has the appropriate skills, experience, qualifications, and access to the resources required to deliver the project and sustain its benefits. If not, you should have a plan for engaging the people and accessing the resources you need.
• Your organisation has suitable governance arrangements in place for the scale of the project. You should have clear succession plans in place for the recruitment of board members or trustees.
• Your organisation has the agreement of the landowner and the relevant permissions and licenses to deliver the project.

Good working relations

Good working relationships and partnership with others:

• You can demonstrate that you're able to develop and sustain good working relationships with others.
• Your organisation has a commitment to partnership working.

Value for money and additional funding

Value for money and leverage of additional funding or resources:

• You can demonstrate your project's value for money.
• You're able to identify and secure other funding sources to support your project's development, including additional funding.
• You can demonstrate an appropriate plan or funding available for ongoing repairs and lifecycle maintenance.

Depending on your project, you could get up to £400,000.

We have almost £800,000 to fund projects that will bring more artificial pitches, or playing surfaces, to Renfrewshire.

We'll keep taking applications until we've awarded the entire fund to projects that best meet the criteria.

Information you need to give us

When you apply, you'll need to tell us:

• basic information about your organisation and its governance arrangements
• a detailed description of your project, including timelines
• which tier of funding you're applying for
• the costs associated with your project
• the outcomes of your project and how you'll measure these.

You need to provide us with:

• 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
• any other relevant reports or information to support your application as supporting evidence, including media coverage, press cuttings, images, past publicity materials, reviews and letters of support, consultation carried out and results to evidence support of community, results of any surveys or professional opinion sought, business case or plan - this information should be submitted in electronic format where possible.

Complete and send us the Voluntary and Community Organisations application form along with your supporting evidence.

Send your application and supporting documentation to us by email or post for the attention of Lorraine Campbell:

We'll review all applications and award funds to projects that best:

• meet the application criteria
• meet the fund objectives
• provide relevant supporting evidence.

We'll aim to contact you within 1 week of receiving your application.

The Green Spaces, Parks, and Playgrounds Fund fund provides investment where a community can demonstrate a sustainable plan to improve and maintain the condition and use of a green space or community asset.

Constituted voluntary or community organisations can apply.

What we are looking for

We are looking for projects that will:

• regenerate and make physical and environmental improvements to green spaces, parks and play areas and villages across Renfrewshire
• promote sustainable community use of green spaces, parks, and play areas and villages
• increase levels of external funding into Renfrewshire to develop and use green spaces, parks, and play areas
• support communities to manage or deliver services in green spaces, parks, and play areas
• strengthen community capacity in Renfrewshire by increasing regular participation in community events and activities.

What your project needs to demonstrate

You will need to show how your project demonstrates these factors when you apply for funding.

Positive impact

Positive impact for local communities:

• You have identified the community need and support for your project, as well as clearly showing the changes your project will bring.
• You can clearly explain the impact your project will have and how you will know whether you have achieved change.

Involvement of the wider community

The wider community are involved in the design and delivery of the project:

• You can evidence how the community are involved in the development of your idea and supportive of your plans.
• Your plans show how the community will continue to have a voice in the delivery and oversight of your project.
• You can demonstrate a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, making sure that different types of people are supported and empowered to engage with your project.

Good working relationships

Good working relationships and partnership with others:

• You can demonstrate that you are able to develop and sustain good working relationships with others.
• You have a commitment to partnership working.

Viability and sustainability

The project is viable and sustainable:

• You can demonstrate how your project can be financially viable.
• Your organisation has the appropriate skills experience and qualifications and access to the resources required to deliver the project and to sustain the benefit or has a plan for engaging people and accessing the resources required.
• Your organisation has suitable governance arrangements in place for the scale of the project and has clear succession plans in place for the recruitment of Board members or trustees.
• Your organisation has the agreement of the landowner and the relevant permissions and licenses in place to allow the project to be delivered.

Fits with the fund objectives and criteria

Strategic fit with the fund objectives and criteria:

• Your project meets some or all of the fund objectives - the strongest projects will meet the greatest number of objectives.
• Your project supports the strategic priorities of Renfrewshire Council and Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership.
• Your project is complementary to existing facilities and provisions in the local area and does not duplicate existing provision where unmet need or demand from the local community cannot be demonstrated.

Value for money and additional funding

Value for money and leverage of additional funding or resources

• You can demonstrate value for money.
• You can identify and secure other funding sources to support the development of your project, including the leveraging of additional funding into Renfrewshire.

The information and evidence required to be provided on each of these areas will be proportionate and appropriate to the scale and type of project involved.

Examples of projects

Examples of projects could be:

• upgrading or developing play areas or equipment to promote access for the community and create stimulating and enjoyable environments for all ages and abilities
• visual and physical improvements in parks and open spaces that improve the experience for visitors and residents or enhance features and points of interest
• opening areas of woodland or other open spaces for sustainable community access and use
• use of previously underused open spaces to improve the environment and provide increased leisure, art or design features, or recreational opportunities
• development of growing grounds or allotments.

Levels of funding

There are 3 levels of funding. We will consider applications for revenue or capital projects based on what the grant would be used for.

Grants up to £5,000

This is for small scale revenue or capital projects to support communities to:

• develop ideas
• get early quick wins and visible change happening
• to encourage and kick start community activity
• deliver visible environmental improvements.

Grants from £5,000 to £10,000

This is for larger scale revenue or capital projects that:

• generate sustainable physical improvements and investment in green spaces, parks and play areas and villages
• meet most if not all of the objectives of the fund
• should be able to demonstrate clear evidence of support from the wider community.

Grants over £10,000

For revenue or capital projects that will:

• deliver significant improvements and will
• be expected to have additional sources of funding or plans for securing additional funding.

Making additional applications

You can make more than one application to the fund to take forward different phases of a project.

Each application will be considered on its merits, but the decision will consider:

• if previous funding was made
• the overall value for money being delivered for the Council
• the performance of the applicant in relation to delivering the previous elements of the project funded.

Advice on becoming a constituted community group

The Communities and Public Protection Service can help groups access specialist advice on how to establish a constituted community group or access additional external funding.

Guidance and practical support for projects

We can give you guidance about developing and implementing your plans or practical support with your project. 

This can include access to tools, equipment, services and facilities needed to add momentum and impetus to your vision and give confidence that change can be delivered.

Contact the Engage Renfrewshire's Community and Voluntary Action Team:
 

Information you need to provide

You need to provide us with:

• 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
• any other relevant reports or information to support your application as supporting evidence, including media coverage, press cuttings, images, past publicity materials, reviews and letters of support, consultation carried out and results to evidence support of community, results of any surveys or professional opinion sought, business case or plan - this information should be submitted in electronic format where possible.

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

Complete and send us the Voluntary and Community Organisations application form.

Send your application to us by email or post:

We are not taking any applications for this fund at the moment.

When you have applied, we will work with you to:

• develop a more detailed understanding of the project and organisation
• assess your proposal.

We’ll make a recommendation with the final decision depending on the level of funding you’ve applied for.

If it’s less than £5,000, the Director of Communities, Housing and Planning will award the grant.

If it’s more than £5,000, the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board will award the grant.

Conditions of the grant

All grants will be subject to Renfrewshire Council's standard grant conditions.

We will pay the grant to the organisations or individuals named in main application form.

Grant awards are not transferable to other organisations or entities and must be used to deliver the agreed project.

For grants from £1,000 up to £10,000

All grant payments will be authorised by the Council

• subject to satisfactory compliance procedures outlined in the grant conditions
• subject to scrutiny of any grants claims and receipts or invoices by the Council.

Once agreed, all grant payments will normally be made in one or two instalments at the Council's discretion.

For grants of £10,000 or more

All grant payments will be authorised by the Council

• subject to satisfactory compliance with the bookkeeping and accounts procedures outlined in the grant conditions
• subject to scrutiny of any grants claims and receipts or invoices by the Council.

Once agreed, all grant payments will normally be made on a quarterly basis and may be paid in advance at the Council's discretion.

Contact us about the Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund:

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.

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.

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'll 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 for the Sustainable Communities Fund

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.

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. 

If you're awarded 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 Villages Investment Fund is funding that local organisations can apply for to strengthen the character, identity, and heritage of the community.

Constituted voluntary or community organisations from the following communities are eligible and encouraged to make applications to the ring-fenced Villages Investment Fund:

• Bishopton
• Bridge of Weir
• Brookfield
• Crosslee
• Elderslie
• Houston
• Howwood
• Inchinnan
• Kilbarchan
• Langbank
• Lochwinnoch.

Examples of opportunities that communities might consider which strengthen the character, identity, and heritage of the community could include:

• unique signage and branding for a community, reflecting its heritage and identity
• heritage trails or walks highlighting local points of interest that reference the unique identity of the community
• reinstatement, renovation or improvement of features within the community that reflect its identity or history or that are of significance to the community
• environmental or physical improvements, art works, cultural or design features that enhance the character and identity of the village
• events or features that strengthen the community and bring together people to celebrate the character and history of the village in a sustainable way

The examples above are illustrative and not exhaustive. Innovative and creative projects from community groups that meet the objectives of the fund are welcomed.

What your project needs to demonstrate

You will need to show how your project demonstrates these factors when you apply for funding.

Positive impact

Positive impact for local communities:

• You have identified the community need and support for your project, as well as clearly showing the changes your project will bring.
• You can clearly explain the impact your project will have and how you will know whether you have achieved change.

Involvement of the wider community

The wider community are involved in the design and delivery of the project:

• You can evidence how the community are involved in the development of your idea and supportive of your plans.
• Your plans show how the community will continue to have a voice in the delivery and oversight of your project.
• You can demonstrate a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, making sure that different types of people are supported and empowered to engage with your project.

Good working relationships

Good working relationships and partnership with others:

• You can demonstrate that you are able to develop and sustain good working relationships with others.
• You have a commitment to partnership working.

Viability and sustainability

The project is viable and sustainable:

• You can demonstrate how your project can be financially viable.
• Your organisation has the appropriate skills experience and qualifications and access to the resources required to deliver the project and to sustain the benefit or has a plan for engaging people and accessing the resources required.
• Your organisation has suitable governance arrangements in place for the scale of the project and has clear succession plans in place for the recruitment of Board members or trustees.
• Your organisation has the agreement of the landowner and the relevant permissions and licenses in place to allow the project to be delivered.

Fits with the fund objectives and criteria

Strategic fit with the fund objectives and criteria:

• Your project meets some or all of the fund objectives - the strongest projects will meet the greatest number of objectives.
• Your project supports the strategic priorities of Renfrewshire Council and Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership.
• Your project is complementary to existing facilities and provisions in the local area and does not duplicate existing provision where unmet need or demand from the local community cannot be demonstrated.

Value for money and additional funding

Value for money and leverage of additional funding or resources

• You can demonstrate value for money.
• You can identify and secure other funding sources to support the development of your project, including the leveraging of additional funding into Renfrewshire.

The information and evidence required to be provided on each of these areas will be proportionate and appropriate to the scale and type of project involved.

You can apply for grants up to £25,000 for village improvements from the Villages Investment Fund.

Levels of funding

There are 3 levels of funding. We will consider applications for revenue or capital projects based on what the grant would be used for.

Grants up to £5,000

This is for small scale revenue or capital projects to support communities to:

• develop ideas
• get early quick wins and visible change happening
• to encourage and kick start community activity
• deliver visible environmental improvements.

Grants from £5,000 to £10,000

This is for larger scale revenue or capital projects that:

• generate sustainable physical improvements and investment in green spaces, parks and play areas and villages
• meet most if not all of the objectives of the fund
• should be able to demonstrate clear evidence of support from the wider community.

Grants over £10,000

For revenue or capital projects that will:

• deliver significant improvements and will
• be expected to have additional sources of funding or plans for securing additional funding.

Making additional applications

You can make more than one application to the fund to take forward different phases of a project.

Each application will be considered on its merits, but the decision will consider:

• if previous funding was made
• the overall value for money being delivered for the Council
• the performance of the applicant in relation to delivering the previous elements of the project funded.

Support and guidance

Support is available to community groups that are looking for additional information or guidance as projects are developed.

This includes working with communities and groups that have expressed an interest in developing a project before you make a formal application for funding.

Information you need to provide

You need to provide us with:

• 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
• any other relevant reports or information to support your application as supporting evidence, including media coverage, press cuttings, images, past publicity materials, reviews and letters of support, consultation carried out and results to evidence support of community, results of any surveys or professional opinion sought, business case or plan - this information should be submitted in electronic format where possible.

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

Complete and send us the Voluntary and Community Organisations application form.

Send your application to us by email or post:

What happens next

When you have applied, we will work with you to:

• develop a more detailed understanding of the project and organisation
• assess your proposal.

We’ll make a recommendation with the final decision depending on the level of funding you’ve applied for.

If it’s less than £5,000, the Director of Communities, Housing and Planning will award the grant.

If it’s more than £5,000, the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board will award the grant.

Conditions of the grant

All grants will be subject to Renfrewshire Council's standard grant conditions.

We will pay the grant to the organisations or individuals named in main application form.

Grant awards are not transferable to other organisations or entities and must be used to deliver the agreed project.

For grants from £1,000 up to £10,000

All grant payments will be authorised by the Council subject to:

• satisfactory compliance procedures outlined in the grant conditions
• scrutiny of any grants claims and receipts or invoices by the Council.

Once agreed, all grant payments will normally be made in one or two instalments at the Council's discretion.

For grants of £10,000 or more

All grant payments will be authorised by the Council subject to 

• satisfactory compliance with the bookkeeping and accounts procedures outlined in the grant conditions
• scrutiny of any grants claims and receipts or invoices by the Council.

Once agreed, all grant payments will normally be made on a quarterly basis and may be paid in advance at the Council's discretion.

Contact us about the Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund:

Background

The Scottish Government aims to ensure that every family gets the right support at the right time for long as it is needed, to fulfil children's rights to be raised safely in their own families. 

It introduced the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund in 2022 for the duration of this Parliament to help families to overcome challenges before they reach crisis point, and to significantly reduce the number of children and young people in care by 2030. 

The Scottish Government's ambition is that by 2030 at least 5% of all community-based health and social care spend will be on preventative whole family support measures.

The Renfrewshire Children's Services Partnership (RCSP)

Renfrewshire's Children's Services Partnership (RCSP) is responsible for ensuring that services delivered to children, young people and their families in Renfrewshire are the best they can be.

Membership of the RCSP include the council, other public sector organisations, and the third sector. Together, we identify local priorities and plan how we can join up to add value and deliver services to children, young people and their families that make a real difference to their lives.

One of the aims of the RCSP is for family support to be readily available to families that need it. We want to make sure that families can access the help they need, where and when they need it. 

We want parents to be able to access holistic support which addresses the needs of children and adults in a family at the time of need rather than at crisis point. This will help families to flourish and reduce the chances of family breakdown, and of children entering the care system.

The Scottish Government has provided an amount of Whole Family Wellbeing Funding to the RCSP to build local capacity for transformational system change and to scale up and drive the delivery of holistic whole family support services.

We know from local data that 18% of Renfrewshire's children live in families affected by poverty. Our communities face further challenge through a cost-of-living crisis, with the cost of heating our homes and buying food and basic provisions increasing. Some parents can feel isolated without a strong network of family support, not knowing who to turn to for help.

More and more of Renfrewshire's children and young people are seeking support with their mental health and wellbeing. We understand the link between adverse childhood experiences and the risk this presents to mental health and wellbeing. We also appreciate that the impacts of these events can sometimes carry through to adulthood, and that parents and carers might struggle to cope and respond positively to certain situations or challenges. 

This reinforces our approach to early intervention, and developing ways to work with children, young people, and their families to help them cope before reaching a crisis.
Third sector and community organisations can play a vital role in supporting families within their local communities and are able to use knowledge and connections to build a network of support around vulnerable families.

National principles for holistic whole family support

The 10 principles of holistic family support are:

1. Non-stigmatising: Support should be promoted and provided free from stigma and judgement. Services should be as normalised as accessing universal services.
2. Whole Family: Support should be rooted in GIRFEC and wrapped around about the whole family. This requires relevant join up with adult services & whole system, place based, preventative addressing inequalities.
3. Needs based: Support should be tailored to fit around each individual family, not be driven by rigid services or structures. It should cover the spectrum of support from universal services, more tailored support for wellbeing and intensive support (to prevent or in response to statutory interventions). Creative approaches to support should be encouraged.
4. Assets and community based: Support should be empowering, building on existing strengths within the family and wider community. Families should be able to 'reach in' not be 'referred to'. Support must be explicitly connected to locations that work for local families and the community, such as schools, health centres, village halls, and sports centres.
5. Timely and Sustainable: Flexible, responsive, and proportionate support should be available to families as soon as they need it, and for as long as it is required, adapting to changing needs.
6. Promoted: Families should have easy, well understood routes of access to support. They should feel empowered to do so and have choice about the support they access to ensure it meets their needs.
7. Take account of families' voice: At a strategic and individual level, children and families should be meaningfully involved in the design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of services. Support should be based on trusted relationships between families and professionals working together with mutual respect to ensure targeted and developmental support.
8. Collaborative and Seamless: Support should be multi-agency and joined up across services, so families don't experience multiple 'referrals' or inconsistent support.
9. Skilled and supported workforce: Support should be informed by an understanding of attachment, trauma, inequality, and poverty. Staff should be supported to take on additional responsibilities and trusted to be innovative in responding to the needs of families.
10. Underpinned by Children's Rights: Children's rights should be the funnel through which every decision and support service is viewed.

Key aims of the fund

The key aims of the Whole Family Wellbeing fund are to:

• support the whole system transformational change required to reduce the need for crisis intervention
• shift investment towards prevention and early intervention.

In accordance with The Promise, the Scottish Government recognises that we need whole system change in line with the 10 Principles for Holistic Family Support incorporating the following core components of how holistic, whole family support is delivered:

• Children and families at the centre of design - a children's rights-based approach to improved family wellbeing, with services designed with children, young people, and their families' needs at the centre, supporting all families to flourish and thrive.
• Availability and access - all families know how to and can access multi-sectoral, holistic, whole family support.
• Leadership, workforce, and culture - cross-sectoral commitment to collaboration and innovation which empowers and supports the workforce to provide family-centred holistic support.
• Whole system approach – a collaborative, multi-agency and multidisciplinary approach to the funding, commissioning, and delivery of family support.

Applications are open to voluntary and community groups and organisations that have a constitution bank account, such as:

• registered charities
• groups or clubs
• not-for-profit companies
• community interest companies
• community councils.

We are looking for projects focusing on community step change.

Your proposal must be a newly developed innovation for your organisation which will engage more parent and families - not just based on the families you are currently working with.

Projects and activities should be:

• open to all families across Renfrewshire, free and easy to access
• inclusive, welcoming, respectful, and safe
• able or willing to provide connections to other services and supports
• flexible in its provision of support to include evenings and weekend where required.

Examples of projects and activities might be:

• out of school and weekend clubs for children with disabilities where children can have fun, and their parents can have some respite time
• organisation to release a member of staff to be trained and to deliver high quality parenting programmes
• parenting support groups for parents / carers of children with autism using a toolkit recommended in the Autism Toolkit
• support in setting boundaries for families of children displaying distressed and risk-taking behaviour through a training programme such as those promoted in the Council Parenting Strategy
• activity group programmes for families to build family cohesion, have fun together and learn new skills around a particular area such as cooking, gardening, arts and crafts etc.

The funding could also be for staffing and related costs that provides a range of supports. 

This could include but is not limited to 

• advice and guidance
• practical help and support
• befriending support
• group work focused on specific outcomes.

What you cannot use the funding for

You cannot use funding for:

• one-off activities, like an open or fun day
• activities that are not free
• events to raise funds for other charities
• costs for activities that have already taken place
• applications to support individuals.

What your application should include

Your application should describe:

• the work the organisation wants to host
• how it meets the needs of families who are in one or more of these categories:
  • families of children with a neurodevelopmental disorder, for example Autistic Spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) either pre or post diagnosis
  • families of children aged 0 to 8 requiring parenting support or support for distressed behaviours
  • families of children aged 11 to 16 displaying distressed or risk-taking behaviour
  • families of children with disabilities.

Your application should be in line with the 10 principles of holistic family support.

You must also make sure your application demonstrates your family engagement and safeguarding procedures.

Email ruth.wallace@renfrewshire.gov.uk before 12noon on Friday 30 January 2026 for an application form.

Information you need to include with your application

Once you have submitted your application form, you’ll need to send these documents to ruth.wallace@renfrewshire.gov.uk:

• an activity plan and schedule for your proposed project
• a copy of your safeguarding policy
• a copy of your Public Liability Insurance certificate (if applicable)
• a bank statement less than 3 months old (unless you are applying as an individual)
• 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
• a photocopy of your ID - either a passport, birth certificate or driving licence (for individuals). This data is to verify the applicant's ID only and will not be retained by the Council beyond our eligibility checks.

Include your organisations title and Whole Family Wellbeing in the subject line of the email.

How we make a decision

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of staff from Renfrewshire Children's Services Partnership before a decision is made.

The scoring panel will meet in February.

We may visit you to gather further information about your project before making a final decision.

Final decisions will be made by the end of February 2026.

Conditions of the grant

If you are awarded funding, you must accept and comply with Renfrewshire Council's standard grant terms and conditions.

The funding must demonstrate impact and added value for families. We are required to report to the Scottish Government on how we are positively effecting transformational change for families.

We’ll ask you to submit quarterly reports on progress against your objectives. We’ll create a form to do this and provide you with ongoing support to ensure you have the appropriate data sets in place.

If you’re applying to fund a staff member to be trained and to deliver an evidence-based programme, you must commit to that staff member engaging in the coaching and supervision programmes that we offer, and to the recording and reporting of relevant data which shows impact on family wellbeing. 

The funding must be spent by the end of March 2027.

Ongoing support for successful projects

A WFWF Community of Practice will be set up for the successful bidders to be able to collaborate and share ideas throughout the duration of the lifespan of the fund.

If you would like to discuss the priorities or application process, email ruth.wallace@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4 Flex) is a scheme with funding available to make eligible homes more energy efficient.

It is part of our commitment to reduce fuel poverty and meet our net zero commitments.

You can find out more about the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme(Ofgem website).

It applies to:

• some private housing in Renfrewshire
• fuel-poor households that do not meet criteria for other schemes
• low-income or vulnerable households that are vulnerable to the effects of the cold
• energy inefficient homes who may benefit from heating and energy saving measures.

It does not apply to Council Housing or Registered Social Landlords.

Homes with an Energy Performance Certificate bands of D, E F and G may be eligible for the scheme.

The routes for eligible households are outlined in the Council's ECO4 flex Statement of Intent.

An approved ECO installer or energy provider can refer a household for the funding.

Or a potentially eligible household can apply through:

• Home Energy Scotland
• Renfrewshire Council
• an ECO installer

The installer must get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and evidence that the property meets the qualifying criteria.

The Council will then send it to Ofgem for approval. If it is approved, the funding can be used for insulation and energy efficiency improvements to the property.

We'll let the installer know and they can carry out the approved works and provide an EPC when the work is complete

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.

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 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.