Published on:
13
June 2022
Local community groups who own or manage community facilities can benefit from a share of £60,000 from Clackmannanshire Council’s Community Empowerment Fund grants over this financial year.
Since April 2020, ten local groups have managed to complete capital improvement projects claiming a total of over £70,500 to carry out work which has made their premises more accessible, sustainable and better suited to the social and recreational activities they host.
Councillor Craig Holden, Spokesperson for Partnership, Third Sector and Digital Strategy said: “The difference these improvement projects have made to what the groups can offer their communities in terms of social and wellbeing activities is impressive. In some cases, it has been the difference between staying open and closing. I hope groups who have not yet embarked on such a project will be motivated to use this grant to make adjustments which will make their premises more accessible, or to replace outdated fixtures.”
Successful applications include projects such as replacing old boilers; upgrading toilets, insulation and lighting; installing a fire alarm system and bringing a disused sports pavilion back into use. The investment the groups have made in their buildings has paid off in terms of options for income generation, volunteer recruitment, carbon reduction and savings on overheads.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis and a decision on complete applications is usually made within four weeks.
To receive a grant, applicant organisations must be constituted and not-for-profit. They must own or have a long-term lease on the building or land in question.
Projects should address the needs of the community in which they are set and /or contribute to the regeneration of their community.
Groups can apply for 80% of the total project cost up to a maximum of £10,000 including any VAT.
More information about the criteria is available on the Council’s website.