East Lothian Council has launched a new Regeneration Project Capital Fund to support community groups and organisations with regeneration projects.

The fund has been developed and funded through the Scottish Government's Place-based Investment Programme. (PBIP)

It will provide financial support to allow community groups and organisations to progress capital projects such as new facilities; repair and/or upgrading of buildings; installation of climate change mitigation measures and improvement of outdoor community spaces.

The funding aims to support communities to address local issues and assist with the development of wider regeneration potential.

The Regeneration Project Capital Fund follows on from the successful round of project development funding offered through the UKSPF Regeneration Project Development Fund, to provide community groups with a route to continue projects to a conclusion.

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The Regeneration Project Capital Fund can fund up to 75% of capital project delivery costs and can also be used as leverage funding to attract other funding streams to support a larger community project. However, the funding must be committed by 31st March 2024, for example through the appointment of a contractor by that date, to deliver the project.

The supported projects must be able to demonstrate how the funding will assist with the delivery of wider regeneration aims within the area, including the vision for the long-term benefits for the local communities and wider East Lothian population, aligned with both the East Lothian Plan objectives and East Lothian Council Climate Strategy Outcomes.

A maximum grant of £50,000 will be available per community group or organisation towards project costs. As the available funding is limited, grant applications will be assessed and scored competitively against a set of eligibility criteria.

The fund will have a single round in 2023/24, with the deadline for submission of applications set at 5pm on Friday, 1st December 2023.

Further information, guidance notes, and application forms are available via the council website.

It is anticipated that the fund will open again for applications in 2024/25 with an increased funding allocation to support additional projects.