This is discretionary funding to support voluntary and community organisations in North Lanarkshire. 

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.

We strongly encourage all projects to read the Local Outcome Improvement Plan for their area before they complete an Expression of Interest form. An essential requirement of this fund is that proposals contribute towards at least one Locality Priority. Progression to the next stage of this fund will include consideration of  the strength of each project idea’s fit with these Priorities.

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 out-with school hours and for the benefit of the wider community but not for materials for or activities to support school curricular work. Unfortunately, we are unable to support the development of playgrounds with this fund.

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

Localities and Wards

Projects are asked to apply to a specific ward. Once all Expressions of Interest are submitted, local community planning partners will consider which projects will progress to full application.

For Expressions of Interest to this funding, applicants should consider both the ward in which their project resides, and the wider Locality in which this ward is based. To check the ward in which your project resides, use our Check Your Councillor postcode checking tool. To check what Locality your ward in locate in, please visit our supplementary Locality Guide.

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.  

We will however consider short or fixed term staff and overheads where applicants can demonstrate these costs are additional to core provision.

Project start dates should be no earlier than 1 October 2025 and be completed by 28 February 2026.

Costs we can consider include:

• Start-up costs for new groups
• Pilot projects 
• Fixed term 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 will not be made for:

• Capital works. For this fund, capital items are considered as any free-standing structure. Requests for sheds, storage units, memorials and statues are ineligible for the fund.
• Food and drink
• 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?

Projects/organisations can Express an Interest to a ward only once. They can request up to £3,000 (single applicant limit) or up to £10,000 (for partnership bids).

What is the timescale for submitting Expressions of Interest?

You should complete our online form by 12 noon on Friday 29 August 2025.

What is the process for this Fund?

At this stage, the process includes:

• August 2025 – projects submit an Expression of Interest via an online form. This is an open call for project ideas.
• Early September 2025 – Expression of Interest are considered by local community planning partners for eligibility and strategic fit.
• Early/Mid September 2025 – Projects who have submitted a satisfactory Expression of Interest will be advised that they have progressed to the next stage of the process and invited to complete a full application form. Supporting documents will be requested at this stage.
• Mid/Late September 2025 – Full applications will be checked by officers for eligibility.
• Late September 2025 – Wards that have received applications will determine final awards through panels of local representatives.
• October 2025 – Award packs will be issued to successful applicants and funds transferred in full via BACs transfer.
• October 2025 – Projects should commence expenditure. At this stage, we are requesting full expenditure should be achieved by 28 February 2026.

Where can I get help with the form?

Email CommunityEmpowermentNL@northlan.gov.uk with any requests for assistance.

Grant enquiries

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

CVS registration

If you are a Community Voluntary Sector organisation and thinking about applying for funding, you must now be registered.  If you have not already done so, please register in advance.  Contact our Grants team at grantawardprogramme@northlan.gov.uk to find out more.