The National Lottery Community Fund has opened a new £166 million funding stream to support Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities over the next five years. The funding is available through two new programmes which aim to help communities tackle poverty, disadvantage, and discrimination:

Awarding grants of between £20,001 and £250,000 for up to five years, the ‘Community Action‘ Fund will support projects that help communities of all shapes and sizes to come together around activities that matter to them, or which help communities to be environmentally sustainable. National Lottery have opened up their definition of community to include people who share an identity, interest or experience, as well as people living in the same place as they look to fund projects that bring communities together to improve wellbeing and develop positive relationships within those communities – and that encourage connection with other people and/or connection with the environment. It will support projects that are more open, inclusive and led by the people who will benefit from their activities and services.

Awarding grants of between £20,001 and £500,000 for up to five years, Fairer Life Chances will fund projects that support children, young people and families, or that help people to be healthier and have better access to support. National Lottery want to fund vulnerable or excluded communities and, in particular, those that find it hardest to access support.

For further information, please visit the National Lottery Community Fund website. Organisations wishing to apply should contact their team for a conversation either by email at advicescotland@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk or phone 0300 123 7110.