Community Empowerment NL

What is the purpose of this grant scheme?

This fund aims to support community groups to contribute to the delivery of North Lanarkshire’s Local Outcome Improvement Plans. These plans outline what local people have told us so far are the priorities for their community.

You can read the Local Outcome Improvement Plan for your locality.

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply for funding, the applicant must be a constituted community or voluntary organisation with a bank account.

Organisations must be operating and delivering services or activities for the benefit of North Lanarkshire residents.

Applicant organisations must be governed by people who are elected or appointed by the members of the organisation and the organisation and membership must be open to appropriate sections of the community.

Religious organisations may apply if the focus of the project is open to all sections of the community, and it doesn’t involve the promotion of a particular faith or religious viewpoint.

Parent councils may apply for activities run by them outwith school hours and for the benefit of the wider community but not for materials for or activities to support school curricular work.

Individuals, profit-distributing organisations, private clubs, political parties and Trade Unions are not eligible to apply.

What can be funded?

This fund will support short-term/one-off revenue costs only. Core organisational running costs, such as overheads and long-term employee costs, are not eligible.  

• start-up costs for new groups
• pilot projects  
• hosting a community event, activity or performance
• purchasing new equipment or materials
• running training courses
• undertaking community-led action research projects

This list is however not exhaustive. We are interested to note other costs being identified by organisations as they support local people to have their say in improving our communities. All relevant requests will be considered.

What can't be funded?

Grants are not made for:

• capital works
• proposals for Ongoing Project/Service Running costs
• proposals for Activities that conflict with the policies of North Lanarkshire Council
• proposals for Statutory provision
• proposals for Retrospective funding

How much can be applied for?

Applications must be for a minimum of £500. Grants for community events that will take place on one day only can request a maximum of £1,000. For all other requests you can apply for a maximum of £2000.

What is the timescale for submitting applications?

Application forms will be available to download shortly.

What is the application process?

An application form should be completed and all additional information, for example your constitution and financial details should be submitted with your application form.

Where can I get help with the form?

If you would like any help or advice in completing the application form please contact us by email. 

Please also refer to the Application Guidance Note which will be available to download shortly.

What happens next?

When we receive your application we will send you an email confirming that it has been received. After an initial officer eligibility check, local people will be asked which proposals should receive funding.

Grant enquiries

If you cannot decide if this fund is best for you contact us for more advice.

Community Empowerment NL - Year 1 Information

In early 2024, we piloted a small grants programme for community groups. Applications requesting between £500 - £2,000 were invited and all applicants were asked to detail in their application how their bid would contribute towards the delivery of our 9 Local Outcome Improvement Plans. A total of £60,000 was made available.

The fund was significantly over subscribed with 74 applications submitted totalling £126,143.

An evaluation of the pilot found:

• a third of applications received focused on mental health, wellbeing and physical health. Slightly over a quarter of applications focused on poverty while just under a quarter of applications focused on community engagement, participation and resilience building.
• Airdrie had both the highest number of applications submitted and requested the highest value of funds, while Kilsyth and Villages only received one application at £700.
• 38% of applications received were from applicants that were members of a Community Board and a quarter of applicants reach out for support during the application process.

A full copy of the pilot evaluation will be shared soon.

We are pleased to confirm the following 34 projects received an offer of grant from the fund in March 2023:

1. Airdrie Adult Learning Forum – Support to launch a rolling programme of free community-based adult/family learning activities during the holiday periods.
2. CABIA - Funding for CABIA Community Growth In Bloom, supporting a programme of gardening activity and community open days for local people.
3. Caldercruix Community Council - towards a community Summer Fun Day during the summer holidays.
4. Hilltop Parent Council - Towards a programme of community activities and resources for the outdoor space.
5. Rochsolloch Parent Council - Towards a Summer Fayre community event, located on campus grounds.
6. Whinhall Allotments – Expansion of the outdoor classroom and training volunteers to provide forest skills sessions.
7. 1st Bellshill and Mossend Scout Group - to contribute towards Group camp.
8. Utheo Ltd - resources for The Wee Friendly Mixed Club.
9.  VIP Arts and Sports Academy - to offer free first aid training courses to 20 local people.
10.  Women Activeworks Society -  to deliver a range of training courses to the volunteer team who support the Pearl Club, Youth Club and ASN family support group.
11. YMCA Bellshill and Mossend - for the Summer Fun Day at the YMCA premises on Main Street, Bellshill. 
12. Woodhall Faskine and Palacecraig Conservation Group - to purchase a range of resources to invest and expand our activities promoting greenspace and green health activities.
13. Cliftonville and Coatdyke Community Group - Pilot summer holiday activity programme providing entertainment, activities, and food to local school-aged children.
14. Fool On - Community event to launch new project location, promoting a range of services for mental health and wellbeing.
15. Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre – to pilot a new Women’s Group at the Centre.
16. CACE - Cumbernauld Action for Care of the Elderly - Pilot programme working with 140 local older people to improve digital inclusion and online skills.
17. Cumbernauld Academy Parent Council - towards a Summer Fayre community event on Saturday 1st June 2024.
18. Cumbernauld Poverty Action - towards a pilot scheme providing Sessional Crisis Workers to help with the increased demand due to the current Cost of Living Crisis.
19. Cornerstone House Centre - To promote ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland) as a tool for community empowerment in the Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Northern Corridor areas.  
20. Pet Pantry Cumbernauld - Pet Pantry To You, pilot programme, which would allow the project to reach new service users who need support services.
21. Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Care - to host a community event, with a school uniform giveaway and cost of living support.
22. HOPE for Autism - to pilot a weekly 2-hour stay and play session for pre-5 autistic children and their parent/carers.
23. Jerviston Action Group - to launch the new charity with a programme of community events this spring/summer.
24. Best Way Community Development –  to host a community event for Refugee Festival.
25. Glenboig Community Development Trust - to purchase a range of gardening materials, building supplies and volunteer safety equipment for the next phase of the Glenboig Community Garden.
26. Cloudberry Communities CIC/ Northern Corridor Community Volunteers - to recruit volunteer drivers to offer a community transport service.
27. 1st Shotts Company, The Girl's Brigade - to host a one day community event celebrating the 90th Anniversary (1934 – 2024) of 1st Shotts GB.
28. Shotts Gala Day Group - to host a one day community event.
29. 1st Shotts Company, The Girl's Brigade - Residential trip to PGD Dalguise, Perthshire for 21 local young people.
30. Dalziel Womens Cancer Support Group - towards a programme of activities to provide breaks and respite for local women going through cancer treatment or recovering after treatment, and their carers.
31. Made 4U in ML2 - towards Voices For Tomorrow, an innovative project initiated by a passionate group of young individuals rooted in the community of Wishaw.
32. Newmains and District Community Council - towards a partnership project to get a living community Christmas Tree installed outside The NCT Centre.
33. Cambusnethan Old and Morningside Parish Church – towards social events and support services for isolated local people.
34. SWELS -  towards mental health and wellbeing activities for the older community of Wishaw, with community outings and social events.