New small grants scheme to help rural areas

Published: Tuesday 10 December 2024

This is a general view of rural South Lanarkshire

Rural groups and charities in Lanarkshire are eligible to apply for a new grant of up to £5,000 to help improve their area.  

A total of more than £100,000 is available to groups in rural South Lanarkshire and parts of rural North Lanarkshire to buy equipment or deliver activity that benefits local residents.

The small grants scheme will support groups to purchase equipment for a wide range of projects including community gardening, environmental projects, men’s sheds, and community sports clubs, amongst others.

Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “I would encourage local rural groups and charities to apply for this funding as soon as possible, it can be a great help with small-scale projects they are looking to get off the ground quickly.

“Please be aware that there is only a short window for the funding to remain open.”

Applications for funding are open from now until 7 January 2025 and funds must be used by 14 March 2025.  

The grants are funded by the Scottish Government through the Lanarkshire Community Led Local Development Programme.

Guidance on the grant scheme and how to start an application enquiry can be found on the council website.