posted by Rhonda McFarlane, Funding Officer, Chief Executive’s Department

Veolia Environmental Trust Grants (UK)

The Veolia Environmental Trust, has announced that the next closing date for stage 1 applications is the 25th May 2017.

Constituted, not-for-profit groups within the vicinity of a qualifying Veolia site, can apply for grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 for projects that support the natural, social and built environment. The type of activities that can be supported include:

• Community buildings and rooms: such as community centres and village halls, etc.
• Public parks, nature reserves, community gardens, footpaths, bridleways or cycle-paths
• Play and recreation areas such as skate parks, Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs), sports grounds, pavilions or changing rooms.

There is a two-stage application process and applicants successful at stage 1 must have secured 20% of funding towards the project prior to submitting a full (stage 2) application.

http://www.veoliatrust.org/funding/

Funding for the Historic Regeneration of Towns and Cities (UK)

Single organisations (such as Local Authorities) or partnerships of not for profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £2 million through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Townscape Heritage Initiative to regenerate historic environments in towns and cities across the United Kingdom.

The programme aims to address problems in areas of particular social and economic need. Applicants needs to submit a portfolio of projects that together have the potential to regenerate and transform conservation areas in need of investment.

The next closing date for stage 1 applications is 12 noon on the 8th December 2017. Second-round applications can be submitted up to 12 months after first-round approval. The second round is not competitive; a grant will be offered to the applicant if it meets the HLF’s criteria and priorities.

https://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/our-grant-programmes/townscape-heritage

The Health Foundation Launches the Innovating for Improvement Programme for 2017 (UK)

The Health Foundation has announced that its Innovating for Improvement programme has opened for applications.

The programme aims to improve health care delivery and/or the way people manage their own health care through the redesign of processes, practices and services. The Foundation support clinical teams to develop their innovative ideas and approaches, put them into practice and gather evidence about how their innovation improves quality. A total of £1.5m available for up to 20 teams to test and develop innovative ideas and approaches and each project team will receive up to £75,000 of funding to support the implementation and measurement of the project. In this round of Innovating for Improvement the Foundation is particularly interested in applications for innovative projects either led by or working in close collaboration with primary care. Applications can come from any health or health and social care provider organisation in the UK where health care services are delivered free at the point of delivery.

The deadline for all applications is midday on the 28th March 2017.

http://www.health.org.uk/programmes/innovating-improvement

G&H Roberts Community Trust (UK)

The next deadline to apply for G&H Roberts Community Trust is the 31st July 2017.

The Trust focuses on funding small community projects that support the advancement of education, community development, human rights, environmental protection, conflict resolution and reconciliation. This round is keen to focus on funding projects in West Lothian but any UK charities can apply.

Applications will normally be considered only for specific items of expenditure which may include salaries, travel costs, equipment and a percentage of overheads if appropriate.

http://www.ghrcommunitytrust.org/applications/

The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust (UK)

The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust is now accepting applications for grants that support individuals, clubs and special schools with equipment and specialist wheelchairs to enable disabled people to play tennis.

Funding is available of up to £1,500 for groups and clubs and up to £500 for individuals. Individuals can receive support for:

• A sports wheelchair
• Tennis rackets
• Coaching lessons with an LTA Licensed coach
• Course fees for official LTA development/Coaching courses.

Groups can apply for:

• Wheelchairs
• Court hire
• Coaching fees and equipment packages which will include, rackets, balls, mini net
• Coaching aids such as cones and throw down marker lines.

In the case of wheelchairs a deposit will be required; for individuals the amount of deposit required will depend on the wheelchair type requested, clubs will need to provide a deposit of £250 per chair.

The closing date for applications in this round is the 10th March 2017.

http://www.danmaskelltennistrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant.html

Connecting Classrooms Fund (UK)

The British Council’s Connecting Classrooms fund has opened up for applications.

Grants of £3,000 are available to enable teachers (who have completed the British Council’s ‘Teaching Core Skills’ training programme) and a school leader to visit a partner school overseas. Each visit will involve participating in an event, arranged in country by the British Council. The events will bring together schools from the UK, their partners and other local schools to share experiences and good practice of implementing core skills within the curriculum. Schools participating in the connecting classrooms programme will have to work with a schools based in one of the following countries:

• Egypt
• Iraq
• Lebanon
• Jordan
• Morocco
• Occupied Palestinian Territories
• Yemen
• Bangladesh
• India
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka
• Ethiopia
• Malawi
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe.

To be eligible to apply, the UK will have identified a partner school in one of these countries.

The next closing date for applications is the 20th March 2017.

https://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/about-schools-online/about-programmes/connecting-classrooms/apply

Award for Supporting Innovation in Teaching and Learning in Higher and Secondary Education (UK)

Grants of up to £1,000 are available through the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Ray Y. Gildea Jr Award to support innovation in Geography teaching.

Applications can be made for projects to research, develop and/or pilot innovations in teaching and learning in any field of geography in higher or secondary education.

Previous winners have included:

Nicola Rowland (John of Gaunt School, Wiltshire). ‘A virtual journey across Greenland’. The purpose of the expedition was to send four teachers of different disciplines to carry out scientific experiments, in the harshest of polar conditions, with the aim of encouraging and inspiring their students by creating material and resources that meets the needs of the National Curriculum.

The applications deadline is the 30th November 2017.

http://www.rgs.org/OURWORK/GRANTS/TEACHING/RAY+Y.+GILDEA+JR+AWARD.HTM

West Lothian LEADER Programme (Scotland)

The next application deadline for the West Lothian LEADER Programme is 24th April 2017.

The aim of LEADER is to increase community capacity, to build knowledge and skills, encourage innovation and promote co-operation in rural areas via the delivery of a Local Development Strategy (LDS).

West Lothian has an allocation of £2.17 million – split between the following priorities:

• Rural Enterprise
• Farm Diversification
• Co-operation
• General Project Fund.

The amount of funding available depends on the type of project but ranges from £5,000 to £100,000. Themes for the current programme are:

• Theme 1: Well-connected Communities
• Theme 2: Stronger Communities
• Theme 3: Improved Local Environment.

All projects should also address these themes:

• Equalities
• Innovation
• Sustainability
• Partnership working.

https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/LEADER

John Watsons Trust Announces 2017 Application Deadline (Scotland with pref. for Edinburgh and the Lothians)

The John Watson’s Trust has announced that the next closing date for applications is the 18th March 2017.

The trust awards grants primarily within Edinburgh and the Lothians for educational purposes to children and young people under the age of 21 who have a physical or learning disability or who are socially disadvantaged. Grants may be awarded Scotland wide depending on each individual case. Both individuals and organisations may apply for funding and examples of the types of activities that can be funded include dyslexia tuition, school trips (must be applied for by the school and not individuals), bus passes, books and equipment and laptops where there is a special education need.

http://www.wssociety.co.uk/charities/jwt/

National Churches Trust Launches New Maintenance Grants Programme Launches (UK)

The National Churches Trust has announced that the next closing date for its new Maintenance Grant Scheme is the 10th May 2017.

The National Churches Trust, supports the repair and revitalisation of church buildings for the benefit of all the community. This is a pilot programme, in partnership with the Pilgrim Trust, offering awards of between £1,000 and £2,500 to encourage churches to act on small, urgent maintenance issues and repairs to listed church buildings, as identified in a recent Quinquennial Inspection Report, condition survey or report by a gutter management contractor, and costed at between £2,000 and £10,000. Proposed works must be to the main listed church building, and applicants must be able to show they have already raised 50% of the total repair costs, and to have obtained two quotes for the works.

http://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/our-grants/maintenance-grants

 

Co-operative Bank Donation Fund Opens for Applications (UK)

Organisations that have a Community Directplus account with the Co-operative Bank have until 31st March 2017 to apply for funding from the Customer Donation Fund.

Since 2003 the Co-operative Bank Donation Fund has donated over £701,000 to 815 organisations. The money can be used to support special projects and fundraising activities; and all Community Directplus account holders are eligible to apply.

Examples of previous projects supported include:

Theatre company 20 Stories High which received funding towards three dictaphones, 12 MP3 players and the work of an experienced Technical Manager in order to help develop and stage a new production.

Wiltshire Wood Recycling, a not for profit organisations, which received funding towards new tools, boots, hard hats and high-viz jackets for the workers.

http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/business/community/community-directplus#customerdonationfund-2

Spaces 4 Change Do It Awards Announces New Application Deadline (UK)

UnLtd, the charity for Social Entrepreneurs, has announced, that young people between the ages of 16 and 24 can apply for funding from the Spaces for Change “Do It Awards”.

The programme will support young people to start and run social ventures that unlock the potential of unused or under-utilised spaces for the benefit of the local community, especially other young people. The programme is offering 100 awards between 2016 and 2019 of between £501 and £5,000 project funding. In addition, young people will receive the support of a dedicated award manager, cohort support and peer to peer networking opportunities for sharing knowledge and learning. Anyone over the age of 18 who applies must be willing to crowdfund a minimum of £100 via Spacehive.

The closing date for applications is the 24th April 2017.

https://unltd.org.uk/doit/

Funding for Community Facilities (England & Scotland)

The next application deadline for funding from the Suez Communities Trust (formerly the Sita Trust) is the 24th April 2017.

The Suez Communities Trust provides funds to not-for-profit organisations to improve amenities that is available for leisure and recreation use by the general public. This could include:

• Community cafes
• Theatres
• Play areas
• Skate parks
• Youth centres; etc.

Through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) the Trust can offer grants of up to £20,000 through its Smaller Projects Fund and grants of up to £50,000 through its Primary Fund. To be eligible, applicants needs to be a not – for profit organisations located within three miles of a qualifying SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK waste processing site. N.B. due to the rural nature of the Aberdeenshire funding zone this zone has a 10-mile radius. Additionally, in order to qualify for LCF funding project sites must fall within 10 miles of a landfill site.

For information on projects previously funded by the Trust, please click here.

http://www.suezcommunitiestrust.org.uk/

posted by Rhonda McFarlane, Funding Officer, Chief Executive’s Department

Holiday Grants for Children (UK)

From the 1st March 2017 schools, youth groups, not for profit organisations and charities will be able to apply for a grant from the Henry Smith Charity’ Holiday Grants programme.

The programme provides access to recreational trips or holidays for groups of children less than 13 years of age who experience disadvantage or who have disabilities. Applications can be made for grants towards a single trip, which could be a day trip or a longer residential of up to seven days in length. This could be to a countryside or city location but must be outside of the children’s immediate locality.

Examples include:

• Camping
• Trips to adventure activity centres
• The seaside.

Grants of between £500 and £2,500 are available; to cover a maximum of two thirds of the cost of a holiday or trip, the remainder of the funding must be raised elsewhere.

Applications for trips that take place between the 1st May and the 30th June 2017 will be accepted between the 1st March and the 19th May, decisions are made on a first come-first served basis (within the application periods stated) until funds are spent.

http://www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk/holiday-grants-for-children.html

The Summer Play Scheme Programme 2017 Opens for Applications (UK)

The Hilden Charitable Funds Summer Play Scheme is now open for applications.

The Fund supports community groups and voluntary agencies with an income of less than £150,000 that run summer play schemes for children between the ages of 5 and 18 in disadvantaged communities. Supported schemes should be locally based, last between two and six weeks and have strong volunteer support. Some priority will be given to projects which show that they are inclusive of children from refugee families and have BME involvement.

The closing date for applications is the 24th May 2017.

http://www.hildencharitablefund.org.uk/

Funding to Promote Swimming (UK)

The Swimathon Foundation Community Grants Scheme offers funding of between £300 and £2,500 to innovative and sustainable projects which will help more people participate in and enjoy swimming and to make swimming more accessible.

To be eligible for a Swimathon grant organisations need to be supported by pools that are participating in Swimathon. Some of examples of groups that Swimathon Foundation Community grants will support, but are not limited to community groups, swimming clubs, senior groups, youth groups, sports clubs, disability charities, scout groups and healthy living groups in the UK are eligible to apply.

Examples of projects supported in the past include:

• Banishing Aqua Fears Yes You Can! who were awarded £1,734 to make swimming more accessible to residents on the Isles of Islay.
• Jura and Braintree Mencap Swimmers based in Essex, were awarded £2,500 to ensure people with learning disabilities have the opportunity to participate in activities in the local area.

Applicants must be a representative of, or have the support of, a pool participating in Swimathon 2016. The closing date for applications is the 17th March 2017.

https://swimathonfoundation.org/posts/2017/01/23/the-swimathon-grants-scheme-application-is-now-open

Funding for School and Youth Residential Trips (Scotland)

Teachers and Youth Leaders can apply for funding through the Scottish Youth Hostelling Association (SYHA) new Youth Active grant scheme.

The fund aims to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds take part in a school or youth group residential trip to build confidence, resilience, social and employability skills. Teachers and Youth Leaders can apply for up to 40 per cent support for each eligible young person who would not otherwise have this opportunity due to deprivation or other disadvantage.

Applications must be received at least ten weeks prior to arrival and grants are deducted from the final bill.

https://www.syha.org.uk/syha-charity/syha-youth-active-grants.aspx?dm_i=LQE,429KP,6LKTGE,EPOFF,1

Funding to Enable Disadvantaged Young People Reach their Potential (UK)

Registered charities (including Schools that are registered as charities for young people with disabilities) that work with disadvantaged children under the age of 25 can apply for funding of up to £10,000 through the Ironmongers Company’s grants programme. In particular, the company wants to support projects that provide opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people to fulfil their potential and educational activities that develop learning, motivation and skills. Projects could, for example:

• Support special educational needs
• Address behavioural problems or promote citizenship
• Parenting or life skills.

Preference will be given to projects piloting new approaches where the outcomes will be disseminated to a wider audience. Although the grants are available within the UK preference is given to projects in inner London.

The next deadline for applications is the 31st July 2017.

http://www.ironmongers.org/charity_organisations.htm

Trees for Schools (UK)

The Tree Council, the lead tree campaigning charity working to promote the importance of trees within the changing environment, has announced that its Trees for Schools grant making programme is now open for applications.

Funds are available for schools within the UK who are able to show that children under the age of 16 will be actively engaged in tree planting projects during National Tree Week 2017 (26th November to 4th December 2016, or as soon as possible afterwards). Schools must be local authority run or registered as a ‘not for profit’ organisation (including a community interest company, a charity organisation or a social enterprise). The Tree Council can fund projects between £100 and £700 and successful applicants will receive up to 75% towards their planting four fruit trees. For example, if your project totals £700, The Tree Council would offer up to £525. The remaining 25% will need to be secured by your school or organisation.

The closing date for applications is the 31st March 2017.

http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/Grants/Trees-for-Schools

The Carbon Trust Green Business Fund (England, Scotland and Wales)

The Carbon Trust has launched a new energy efficiency support service for small and medium-sized companies in England, Scotland and Wales. Support is provided through energy assessments, training workshops, equipment procurement support and up to 30% capital contribution, to a maximum of £10,000, towards the purchase of energy saving equipment. A series of workshops are planned to help small businesses work out how best to identify the energy saving opportunities available to them. To qualify, SMEs are defined as such if they meet two of the three following criteria:

• No more than 250 employees
• Annual turnover not more than £25.9m
• Or annual balance sheet not more than £12.9m.

Applications are accepted and assessed on a rolling basis.

https://www.carbontrust.com/client-services/technology/implementation-and-finance/green-business-fund/

Tesco Bags of Help funding has recently changed to allow a wider range of projects that bring benefits to the community to apply. Please could you help us promote this to groups and organisations to across Scotland by sharing this information with your networks, colleagues, community groups and organisations. Feel free to use it in digital communications, social media and e-newsletters.

Any help is kindly appreciated. If you have any questions about the funding don’t hesitate to get in touch.

E-news copy, Change is good! Tesco Bags of Help to Fund Many More Local Projects

Do you think you know what Tesco Bags of Help funds? Read on as the Bags of Help team have been listening to applicants, customers and Tesco colleague feedback and we’ve made some immediate improvements:  

• Apply anytime for projects that bring benefits to the community
• Projects can be outdoor or indoor improvements, activities and equipment purchases
• Apply for capital and revenue funding between £1000 and £4000
• Simpler online application process
• Community groups, schools, charities, local authorities and not for profits can all apply
• You can apply again for a different project at any time 

To make the programme more local the number of projects funded every two months has been increased. We still fund projects that improve or encourage the use of outdoor spaces such as allotments and community gardens. But now grants also fund buying items such as sports kits, camping equipment, spades, litter pickers or specialised medical equipment and improvements to community buildings.

Following a public vote in Tesco stores every two months, three projects in each of the local Tesco store areas will receive a grant, with first place receiving up to £4000, second place up to £2000 and third place £1000.

For information on how to apply please click here http://bit.ly/bagsofhelp4  

If you’ve got a question or need help to apply please contact our friendly team of Scottish community enablers – find their contact details here http://bit.ly/scotbagsofhelp

posted by Margaret Thompson, Library Assistant, Arbroath High School

The stock at the Old and Abbey Church’s Food Bank swelled considerably last week thanks to the generosity of staff and pupils at Arbroath High School. A small team whizzed around the school collecting donations from the different Tutor Groups.  The team are pictured with their trolley!

Back row: Josh Gordon (S3), Callan Guest(S6) and Dylan Wyness (S4) . Beth Greig (S5) is at the front.

posted by Stuart Burns, Schools and Learning Support Officer, Digital Learning

#DigitalDifference

National Digital Learning Week 17 (NDLW) 15-19 May is shaping up well. This year we want to hear all about how digital is making a positive difference to your learning and teaching. You may be a leader in digital technology or just simply starting out; either way NDLW 17 is for you. The purpose of the week is to inspire you to do something with digital that will make a difference.

We’re also looking for schools to take part in short video case studies that we can showcase during NDLW 17 to inspire others. Is your class or school doing something great with digital? We’d love to hear more. Simply email Lorna Kerr.

posted by Louise Kirby, YMI Coordinator, Schools & Learning

On the 21st February 2017 pupils who attend the Warddykes Bass Guitar After School Group an informal showcase of what they have been learning to parents in the library.

Pupils did a range of tunes that included Jason Mraz, I’m Yours and Justine Timberlake Can’t Stop The Feeling all supported by tutor Mirek Hodun.

Musicians include: Savannah, Logan, Abbie, Kieran, Tony, Ruby, Victoriaella and Cameron.

Music is taught through listening, demonstrating and practicing rather than through books. This project is funded by Youth Music Initiative.

posted by Alita Spink, Schools and Learning Support Officer, Schools and Learning

One World Centre and Scotland Malawi Partnership – Practical Ideas for Exploring Global Citizenship in schools.

Celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight at this Schools Forum event at St. John’s High School, Dundee on Thursday 9^th March, 4.30 – 7.00pm.

Come and get some teaching ideas and resources around Fairtrade, creative engagement with pupils on global issues and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. There will also be guidance offered on fostering school partnerships.

Free tasting of the famous fairly traded rice from Malawi and other goodies!

Further details here – http://www.oneworldcentre.org.uk/events/item/101-pratical-ideas-for-exploring-global-citizenship

To book your place, contact Emily on emily@scotland-malawipartnership.org