Community grants and awards

North Lanarkshire Council has approved a programme of improvements and modernisation changes to the Community Partnership Team’s community focused grant programmes.

The improvements are designed to:

• Strengthen fairness and consistency
• Improve the overall applicant experience
• Increase transparency and accountability
• Simplify processes where proportionate
• Improve support available to local organisations
• Strengthen monitoring and impact reporting
• Ensure funding continues to support strong community outcomes across North Lanarkshire

Key Improvements Being Introduced include:

New Delivery Schedule:

A revised annual delivery timetable will now apply to community focused grants. This will provide earlier notice of funding opportunities, improved planning timescales for organisations, and a more structured assessment and award process.

Enhanced Pre-Application Support:

Additional guidance and support will now be available to organisations before applications are submitted. This will include:

• Guidance materials and examples
• Online information sessions
• Locality-based support briefings
• Access to advice from officers and partner organisations
• Improved application guidance and clarification materials

New Participation and Inclusion Premium (PIP) Arrangements:

Additional equalities-focused improvements are also being developed, including testing of a Participation and Inclusion Premium (PIP). The proposed approach would allow eligible projects to receive a modest uplift where organisations can demonstrate that additional measures or costs are required to reduce participation barriers and support inclusive community engagement.

Improved Guidance and Assessment Processes:

Application guidance, assessment arrangements, and monitoring requirements are being updated to improve clarity, consistency, and transparency.

Strengthened Governance and Compliance:

Updated processes will support improved financial assurance, governance checks, and monitoring arrangements to ensure public funds continue to be managed appropriately and effectively.

Improved Monitoring and Reporting:

Revised reporting arrangements will help demonstrate the positive impact that funded organisations deliver within communities across North Lanarkshire.

Digital and Administrative Improvements:

The service will continue developing the new digital application platform (provided by Survey Monkey Apply) along with streamlined administrative arrangements to improve efficiency and accessibility for organisations.

Further Information:

Fuller details can be found in the published Committee Report

Additional information, guidance documents, delivery timetables, and support arrangements will be published over the coming months.

Any organisation requiring further information or support should contact the Community Partnership Team (Grants Section).