News & Updates

Workplace Equality Fund

A new source of financial support has opened for Scottish businesses and organisations striving to improve equality-related outcomes for priority groups within the workplace.

Partnering with the Scottish Government, Advice Direct Scotland is administering the latest iteration of the Workplace Equality Fund, which is now open to applications. The scheme aims to incentivise collaborative projects that aspire to reduce employment inequalities and cultivate positive, fair, and inclusive workplace practices.

By supporting employers to address and resolve longstanding barriers facing under-represented groups within the labour market, the fund endeavours to promote and embed principles of inclusivity and fairness within Scotland’s workplaces.

Funding will be directed towards eligible partnership projects which focus on supporting one or more of the following priority groups:

• Women returning to the workforce following a career break.
• Disabled workers.
• Minority ethnic workers.
• Over-50s workers.
• Workers experiencing gender-based violence.
• Workers experiencing symptoms of the menopause.
• Workers experiencing social isolation and/or loneliness.
• Veterans and spouses of veterans.

The scheme will distribute £800,000 per annum. Organisations can apply for a grant for a period of up to two years. Applicants may request a maximum of £75,000 per year (i.e. £150,000 in total across two years). The figure can differ per year; for example, a project may ask for £75,000 in the first year and £40,000 in the second year.

The fund is aimed at employers. Both private and public sector organisations based in Scotland are invited to apply. To be considered, these organisations must apply with a third sector partner (i.e. a registered charity). The partner should have knowledge and expertise with respect to the specific equality issue that the employer is seeking to address.

There are no limits on the industry targeted or the location of the project (i.e. urban/rural) by the proposal – projects can take place within any sector, industry or geographic area provided that they demonstrate the impact on priority groups through addressing systemic inequalities in the workplace.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 11 April 2022.

Equalityadvice.scot

Youth Scotland Winter Fund Reopens

Supporting children and young people affected by poverty and experiencing hardship

Thanks to the support of STV Children’s Appeal and the Scottish Government, we are grateful to reopen the Youth Scotland Winter Fund for a second year. The fund aims at supporting children, young people and families who are affected by poverty and experiencing hardship in these challenging times. With the cost of living rising across the country, this fund aims to try and support families worst affected.

Youth Scotland member groups who can identify families struggling to meet the financial requirements to provide food, clothes, heating and other essentials, can apply for £500-£3,000 to support the families.

As a youth group, apply for the amount of funding you are able to distribute to families facing poverty; our suggested maximum amount is £100 per child. Families with multiple children are able to receive larger amounts, for example, a family with 3 children could receive £300.

As you will know the children, young people and families in your communities best, you are expected to determine what method of support is most suitable for that family e.g. food hamper, fuel cards, data top-ups, assisted shopping, etc. in the best way you see fit, in these extraordinary times.

Who can apply?

Youth Scotland member groups and organisations who:

• Are based in and work in local communities within Scotland;
• Are working with/have reach to children, young people and their families who are experiencing extreme poverty;
• Can allocate funds to these children, young people and their families by the end of March 2022;
• Are applying for between £500-£3,000+ (Please be realistic about your reach. You can come back for a further award if you spend your first allocation); and
• Can provide a bank statement in the name of their youth group/organisation into which the funds can be paid

There are no deadlines and applications will be reviewed on a regular basis. As long as you provide us with all the information needed, the intention is to get these vital funds to applicants as soon as possible, so that they can begin to help children, young people and their families immediately.

Click here for the full guidance notes and to apply <https://youthscotland.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e8cea9fe71&id=30e6852bec&e=cab8a2b8e2>

Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund Open for Applications

Capital funding for projects in Scotland that restore wildlife and habitats on land and sea and address the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change.

Running until 2026, the Scottish Government’s £55 million Nature Restoration Fund is largely a capital fund designed to deliver action on the ground.

Managed by NatureScot, the second round of the Nature Restoration Fund is expected to provide at least £12.5 million in 2022-23 with grants of between £25,000 and £250,000. (The Government has also announced it will launch a Competitive Fund with grants exceeding £250,000 later in 2022.)

The current funding is for projects that address the following priorities:

• Habitat and species restoration – management for enhancement and connectivity.
• Freshwater restoration, including restoring natural flows in rural catchments.
• Coastal and marine management to promote restoration and resilience.
• Control of invasive non-native species impacting on nature.

All proposals must demonstrate how the project will help to address climate change and/or its impacts.

The funding can cover a range of capital costs, including but not limited to equipment, resources and materials, training and skills development, staff costs, organisational and overhead costs, project evaluation and irrecoverable VAT relating to project costs and activities.

Applications will be accepted from public, private, and voluntary sector organisations as well as private individuals.

There is a two-stage application process.

The deadline for expressions of interest is 18 February 2022 (noon).

Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund | NatureScot

 

Archives Revealed – Scoping Grants

Funding to help archives analyse collections and support the development of future cataloguing projects.

Archives Revealed is a partnership programme between The National Archives, The Pilgrim Trust and the Wolfson Foundation, dedicated to enabling more people to engage with the UK’s documentary heritage.

Scoping Grants are open to registered charities, public sector bodies and other not-for-profit organisations across the UK.

Grants of up to £3,000 are available, supporting activities for one or more of the following priorities:

• A collection that has the potential to be of public benefit.
• Ensuring free public access to the collection in the future; either directly or via collaboration with another organisation.
• Supporting applicants who are unsure of the most effective way to target resources to realise the potential impact of the collection.
• Developing a plan to move towards a cataloguing project or to scope the potential of the collection for a cataloguing project.

Projects should enable grantees to:

• Develop a better understanding of the content of their collection.
• Strategically prioritise the development of their collection.
• Advocate for the development of their service.
• Prepare an effective case for support when applying for funding.

The next deadline is 28 February 2022.

Archives Revealed – Archives sector (nationalarchives.gov.uk)

Smart Energy GB in Communities Fund

Funding to support the national rollout of smart meters, with a focus on reaching those who may face barriers to engaging with the smart mater rollout.

In May 2016, Smart Energy GB launched the five-year Smart Energy GB in Communities Fund, aiming to offer every home in Britain a smart meter within this timeframe at no additional cost.

The Fund is open to regionally based not-for-profit organisations with local links across England, Scotland and Wales. Housing associations and local authorities are eligible to apply.

In 2022, there are three funding streams, each targeting a specific audience:

• Grants of £15,000 to £25,000 for organisations reaching people who are over 65.
• Grants of £7,500 to £10,000 for organisations reaching people on a low income.
• Grants of £5,000 for organisations reaching people who are carers.

Acknowledging the challenges which coronavirus/COVID-19 present, the scheme is looking to fund partners that offer multiple routes into reaching people who are over 65, on a low income or who are carers. There is particular interest in projects that offer a combination of direct and indirect activities to reach people at scale.

Projects should represent good value for money, show strong links with the relevant target group, and demonstrate how they will engage this group either through innovative approaches or building on existing work.

Activities must take place between 4 April 2022 and 7 December 2022.

The deadline to apply is 11 February 2022 (12 noon).

Smart Meter | Smart Energy GB in Communities Grants Fund (nea.org.uk)

Museums Galleries Scotland – Museums Capital Resilience Fund

Museums in Scotland can apply for funding to support capital projects that directly improve long-term resilience.

Grants are available for museums in Scotland to support projects that will help improve resilience, either by increasing income or reducing costs. Through the Museums Capital Resilience Fund, delivered by Museums Galleries Scotland and provided by the Scottish Government, a total of £1 million is available to support capital projects, such as:

• Works to increase energy efficiency and reduce running costs.
• Improvements to a museum’s visitor offer to attract new and returning visitors.
• Investment in income generation, such as outdoor events space, café, or retail.
• Critical repairs and preventative maintenance.

Two tiers of funding are available:

• Grants of between £3,000 and £20,000 for non-accredited independent museums.
• Grants of between £3,000 and £75,000 for accredited museums.

Funding can be used to cover costs such as building and repair works, the purchase and installation of assets that will be in use for at least three years, or professional fees for plans and surveys. Grants must be spent in full by 31 March 2023.

Priority will be given to projects that will generate an immediate impact on resilience, as well as projects that directly reduce carbon use or have a positive environmental impact.

There is a two-stage application process.

The deadline to contact MSG regarding proposed applications is 4 February 2022 (5pm).

Museums Galleries Scotland | Museums Capital Resilience Fund

Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs (DBACE)

These awards support young entrepreneurs in the UK who are looking to enter the creative industries and who have a desire to create and sustain social value through their enterprise.

The Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Enterprise (DBACE) help young, creative entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality. Aspiring individuals who want to go into business in the creative industries and require practical and financial support are being targeted. Applicants will be able to explore, develop and establish their creative ideas into sustainable ventures – through business planning training, mentoring and capital funding for starting-up.

The programme aims to find the best young talent with the ability to drive positive social impact through their creative enterprise. The programme aims to enable and celebrate creative entrepreneurship for social good, led by 18-30-year olds in the UK today.

Entrants will have the chance to win funding for their creative enterprise and a year of business support. The prize package is designed to give applicants everything they need to accelerate their idea or existing business, so that they can take it to the next level.

There is a cash prize fund of £60,000, to be shared amongst five winners. How much awarded per winner is not fixed but assessed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who proceed to the second stage of the competition will be asked for the amount of prize monies they would like to apply for from three incremental categories of £2,000-£5,000; £5,000-£10,000; and £10,000-£20,000.

To apply, applicants must be 18-30 years old and have a strong idea or an existing business in the creative industries. They must have a desire to create positive social impact through their enterprise. Applicants do not have an established business. They just need to be ready to grow with their idea. The eventual business can be not-for-profit or a commercial idea/enterprise.

The deadline for applications to be received is 31 March 2022 (23:59 BST).

DBACE | Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs

Help to Grow

This UK-wide scheme aims to help small and medium-sized businesses with discounted software and free advice.

The Government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme has been launched to support smaller businesses in adopting digital technologies so they can grow.

Through the scheme, eligible firms will receive discounts of up to £5,000 off the retail price of approved Digital Accounting and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software from leading technology suppliers. This software will help them effectively manage their finances and build customer relationships, enabling them to scale up their operations.

The initiative complements the Help to Grow: Management scheme, which was launched in 2021 as part of wider government efforts to back businesses and boost the UK economy. Help to Grow: Management offers business leaders management and leadership training. Designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, businesses receive 50 hours of training across 12 weeks.

To qualify for the financial discount through Help to Grow: Digital, businesses can be from any business sector. They must have between 5 and 249 employees and be purchasing the software for the first time.

Applications can be made at any time.

Help to Grow – Take your business to the next level (campaign.gov.uk)

Help Musicians Record and Release Support

Funding and support are available for professional musicians in the UK towards recording and releasing music, helping them to build creative portfolios and get music out into the world.

The Record and Release funding programme from Help Musicians offers a package of funding and expert advice, including wellbeing and development services, to support solo artists, composers, group members, songwriters, producers or multidisciplinary artists aged 18 and over.

Grants of up to £3,000 are available to fund the cost of recording and releasing a new body of work by music creators who are controlling one or more aspects of their career (egg self-managing, self-releasing or self-producing).

Eligible costs and activities include studio hire, merchandise, PR and marketing, and software.

Programme participants also benefit from:

• One-to-one business advice sessions tailored to their needs and delivered via experienced music industry professionals, as coordinated by ThinkMusic.
• A one-to-one health consultation with British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) professionals, covering all aspects of a musician’s health, including physical and mental health needs and specialist referrals where required.

Supported activities must be delivered within 12 months of accepting a grant.

Applications may be made at any time while funding remains available.

Help Musicians | Recording And Releasing Music

 

Movember – Scaling What Works in Community and Workplace Grant

Groups delivering male mental health initiatives within a community or workplace setting have until the end of January 2022 to apply for funding to scale up the reach and impact of their activities.

Grants of between £200,000 and £400,000 are available to scale community and workplace initiatives that support mental health and wellbeing in men and boys (aged 12 and over) across the UK. The Scaling What Works in Community and Workplace Grant will identify evidence-based initiatives that take a prevention and/or early intervention perspective and incorporate a gendered lens to improve mental health and wellbeing and help them accelerate project delivery, evidence, and scalability.

Eligible activities must:

• Be an existing programme operating in the real world.
• Have a specified measurable outcome, such as a reduction in mental health symptoms or improved literacy.
• Have testable goals.
• Have adequate referral pathways/signposting to support from mental health professionals.

Proposed initiatives should target men and boys from the following audiences:

• Cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
• Regional and remote communities.
• GBTQI communities.
• Socially disadvantaged communities.
• High-risk occupations, such as construction, mining, and low skilled workers.
• Those experiencing or at risk of substance misuse, abuse, and addiction.
• Those experiencing or at risk of gambling addiction and problem gambling; and
• Unemployed or underemployed.

Funding can be used for direct programme related costs, such as supplies, travel costs or equipment, salaries for programme managers and other personnel, and indirect costs up to 10% of the total budget (for community organisations only). Proposed activities should commence 1 September 2022 and be completed by 31 August 2024.

There is a two-stage application process, and applicants must first submit a letter of intent before being invited to complete a full application.

The deadline to submit a letter of intent is 31 January 2022

Movember – About Us

Tesco Little Helps

A limited number of one-off grants are available for a wide range of not-for-profit organisations across the UK for projects that will help them make a difference in their communities during 2022.

Tesco Little Helps is a one-off competition provided by Tesco and administered by Groundwork UK. The new campaign is in addition to the Tesco Community Grants scheme, and groups can apply to both.

There is a total funding pot of £300,000. Grants of up to £5,000 are available.

Priority will be given to projects that provide food and support to young people, with examples including.

• A local school needing support to buy food for a children’s breakfast club.
• A voluntary organisation working with families to run a food bank.
• A charity supporting young people with specialist advice to manage mental health.
• A brownie or scout group needing new camping equipment.
• Kitchen equipment for a youth project to set up a holiday club.
• Supporting a community centre wanting to put on a celebration lunch or Meals on Wheels service.
• A healthy eating project that supports families to cook healthy meals on a budget.

Applications will be accepted from non-profit making constituted groups or organisations with a governing document, including:

• Voluntary/community organisations
• Registered charities
• Social enterprises
• Industrial Provident Society
• Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee and running for a minimum of two years
• Community councils
• Housing organisations.
• Schools can apply if the grant supports local activities that benefit their community.

Eligible applications will be shortlisted by Tesco and Little Helps to ensure that funding will benefit organisations delivering vital support for local communities.

The deadline for applications is midnight on 6 February 2022.

Little Helps – Tesco Community Grants

COVID-19 Cancellation Support Funding for Scotland’s Cultural Organisations

A £25 million support fund is set to open for applications.

Funding is available to businesses vital to the cultural life of Scotland who are experiencing financial difficulty due to the cancellation or deferral of events by COVID-19.

The Cancellation Fund for Cultural Organisations is administered by Creative Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Applications will be accepted from cultural organisations in Scotland that have experienced financial losses arising from cancellation/postponement of activities. This includes:

• Performing arts venues and festivals (e.g. buildings that are primarily used for cultural purposes and have paying audiences to see live events, such as theatres and music venues, including concert halls; and festivals using venues to present live work to a paying audience).
• Other publicly accessible cultural venues (e.g. galleries, workshops, artist studios).
• Other cultural businesses that provide services to other cultural organisations for activities open to the public (e.g. theatre production and supply chain businesses).

Eligible organisations include those that have been adversely impacted as a result of the cancellation of in-person events that have switched to online presentation.

All applicants must provide evidence that demonstrates that they have lost income as a result of COVID-19 during the period 27 November 2021 to 31 March 2022.

Organisations may apply for between £5,000 and £500,000 per venue. Cultural organisations which do not operate a venue may apply for between £5,000 and £500,000.

The fund will open to applications at 14:00 GMT on 26 January 2022 and close to applications at 14:00 GMT on 2 February 2022.

COVID-19 Cancellation Fund for Cultural Organisations | Creative Scotland

Amazon Literary Partnership

One-off grants for not-for-profit literary organisations in the UK that empower writers, helping them create, publish, learn, teach, experiment and thrive.

Running since 2020, the Amazon Literary Partnership scheme aims to champion the voices of underrepresented writers with an eye to encourage writing and reading about a greater variety of perspectives on the world in which live today.

Non-for-profit literary organisations have until the end of January to apply for grants to support their work in 2022.

Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit organisation in the UK, whose core mission is to develop emerging writers, support diversity, celebrate storytelling, and/or build authors’ careers. Organisations should be structurally and financially sound; display energy, passion, and reach; have an online presence and an enthusiastic membership or readership.

Previous grant recipients represented institutions large and small, national and local, and included writing centres, residencies, fellowships, after-school workshops, literary magazines, national organizations supporting storytelling and free speech, and internationally acclaimed publishers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

Amazon has not provided either the total amount of funding available in 2022 or the level of individual grants.

The deadline for applications is 31 January 2022.

The Amazon Literary Partnership opens for 2022 grant applications (aboutamazon.co.uk)

a-n Bursaries 2022: Time Space Money

Omicron Disruption Funding for UK Artists and Freelancers. A national programme is accepting applications.

Funding is available to help support UK artists and freelancers working in the visual arts whose plans have changed due to the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and the continued impact of the pandemic.

The Bursaries 2022: Time Space Money programme is provided by a-n The Artists Information Company with funding support from Arts Council England. The programme offers grants in the form of bursaries of £500 to £1,500.

Eligible bursary activity includes meeting outgoing costs, skills development, research, and networking.

Applications will be accepted from:

• Artists working in all visual arts disciplines.
• Freelancers working in the visual arts such as art handlers, technicians, art installers, conservators and restorers.
• Those who work with artists in the production of their work and exhibitions.

Activities must be completed by 31 December 2022.

 The deadline for applications is 12:00 GMT on 3 February 2022.

a-n Bursaries 2022: Time Space Money – a-n The Artists Information Company