The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) supports locally developed place-based physical regeneration projects that involve local communities, helping to tackle inequalities and deliver inclusive growth in deprived and disadvantaged communities across Scotland.

As a local authority, we can apply to the RCGF on behalf of community groups and organisations, where projects meet the funding criteria. Community groups cannot apply to the Scottish Government directly for this funding.

Applications to the fund are invited on an annual basis and, where justified, can potentially cover more than one financial year.

We have been successful in securing funds for several community-led projects across North Lanarkshire, including for the redevelopment of community centres in Forgewood and Glenboig. In recent rounds of the RCGF, we also secured £1.17 million for a new community hub in Shotts, which will be owned and managed by a local social enterprise.

£215k was also secured for The Well Hub, which is managed and delivered by Motherwell Football Club Community Trust. The Well Hub will provide a community-based response to the challenges of poor mental health and wellbeing - using football to engage with hard-to-reach groups that are at a higher risk of suicide.

The RCGF is primarily aimed at either providing new infrastructure or enhancing existing infrastructure that will improve the economic, social, and physical environment of communities.

Infrastructure refers to physical structures. Examples include buildings, active travel routes, community halls, gardens, allotments/growing space or other community spaces.

Projects should be able to demonstrate:

• clear community involvement
• the positive impact this would have for local people

Although there is no set minimum project award or cost, North Lanarkshire-based projects have been successful in receiving funding from RCGF ranging from £215,000 to £4,000,0000.

We would encourage you to submit an Expression of Interest if your project is seeking capital funding of around £100,000 or more as smaller projects are unlikely to be taken to the application development stage.

Projects that can demonstrate match funding will be looked at favourably. 

Getting Better Together Ltd (GBT) is community-based health initiative which promotes education, health and wellbeing of North Lanarkshire-based residents. The organisation (GBT) is a Registered Scottish Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee, based in Shotts.

GBT took over the running of the former Springhill community hall from the council in 2017 to redevelop the facility. The group then bought the hall and surrounding land in 2019.

In 2021/22, the organisation contacted North Lanarkshire Council with a project idea to deliver the replacement of an old community hall in the form of a newly built, modern community hub based in Springhill.

Getting Better Together Shotts has long been a charity embedded in the local community and identified itself as an anchor organisation that could step in to own, develop and oversee the management of the Springhill Community Hub on behalf of the local community.

The new hub was part of a regeneration scheme which would see the renewal of the existing hall and the establishment of a bespoke facility that meets the needs of local people. It included the redevelopment of the surrounding community-owned land to include an outdoor play area, community food growing space and a cycle pump track.

The total project cost £1.4 million and had secured part funding from the Scottish Government’s Place-Based Investment Programme, Scottish Power Renewable’s Blacklaw Windfarm Environmental Key Fund as well as funding from North Lanarkshire Council.

We developed a funding application along with GBT which was submitted to the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF). This was successful and provided £1.17 million towards the £1.4 million required.

GBT then managed the construction of the facility, with support from the council where necessary.

The new Hub officially opened its doors in September 2023 with GBT managing the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the hub.

The hub offers a range of services for all ages, including:

• services for children and young people including youth group, holiday programme, homework club, parent and toddlers groups and playgroups
• adult learning services focused on building local people's numeracy and literacy skills, life skills such as money management and cookery, and providing learning opportunities for Eastern European national who live locally
• social activity for older people with a key focus on addressing isolation and loneliness
• outreach advisory services for debt management, consumer advice and welfare and benefits
• community health outreach clinics, well-being and health and fitness programmes

The project has provided a new focal point for community life and active participation within Springhill.

Mark Slorance, (GBT) Executive Manager, said: "This community building is more than just bricks and mortar, it's a reflection of our collective dreams, aspirations and partnerships. It's a place where people will come together to learn, to celebrate, to support one another, and to create lasting memories. Let us continue to invest in the wellbeing of our residents, especially those who may be facing hardships."

Scottish Government has confirmed that Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) funding is currently paused.

We are therefore not accepting any expressions of interest until further notice. We will update this page once we have any further information.