Updates to Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme

The Scottish Government has issued updates to the Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme which was established in September 2020.  The programme consists of two strands: the Communities Recovery Fund and the Adapt and Thrive Programme.

An eligible organisation may apply under either or, if applicable, both of these schemes.  If applying under both schemes, the applications may be made at the same time or separately, as may be appropriate in the circumstances.

Communities Recovery Fund

The Communities Recovery Fund, which closes on 12 February 2021, aims to assist community organisations which require to re-introduce services, adapt existing services or introduce new services in response to disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.  Assistance takes the form of a grant of up to £25,000 for an individual organization or up to £75,000 for a group of organisations working in partnership.

Who is eligible?

Applications will be considered from organisations which are a:

• voluntary or community organisation
• registered charity
• constituted group or club
• not-for-profit company or Community Interest Company (CIC) or
• Community Council

With the additional requirements that the organisation must be:

• Based and operating primarily in Scotland. If your organisation also operates outside of Scotland, you must demonstrate that the funding will be used solely for its operations and beneficiaries which are based in Scotland.
• Incorporated and registered as a SCIO with OSCR, or as a company limited by guarantee registered with Companies House. Community Councils must have an agreed Scheme of Establishment with the Local Authority, have a written constitution, and hold a bank account. CICs must be SE code compliant.

How do I apply?

Further information on eligibility criteria, terms and conditions and application guidance is available at these sites:

https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/community-and-third-sector-recovery-programme

and

https://scvo.scot/support/coronavirus/funding/scottish-government/community-recovery/crf

While applications may be made at:

https://scvo.scot/support/coronavirus/funding/scottish-government/community-recovery

As noted above, this programme closes to applications on 12 February 2021.

Adapt and Thrive Programme

As its name suggests, the Adapt and Thrive Programme is designed to assist community organisations to adapt to the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic and develop plans to sustain their activities in the future.

What support is available?

The programme offers support in a variety of ways:

• The support of an advisor who will assess your needs and help with the development of a plan to address them
• Grant funding of up to £75,000 and/or
• Loan funding of up to £250,000

Further information on available support can be found at:

https://scvo.scot/support/coronavirus/funding/scottish-government/community-recovery/atf/support

Who is eligible?

The programme is open to open to charities, community groups, social enterprises, and voluntary organisations which are based in Scotland and operate primarily in Scotland.  The applicant organisation must have been financially stable before the pandemic and must be unable to implement a recovery and sustainability plan without additional funding.

Additional criteria are set out at:

https://scvo.scot/support/coronavirus/funding/scottish-government/community-recovery/atf/criteria

How do I apply?

Further information on eligibility criteria, terms and conditions and application guidance is available at these sites:

https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/community-and-third-sector-recovery-programme

and

https://scvo.scot/support/coronavirus/funding/scottish-government/community-recovery/atf

with Frequently Asked Questions at

https://scvo.scot/support/coronavirus/funding/scottish-government/community-recovery/atf/faq

The closing date for applications to the Adapt and Thrive programme is 31 March 2021

The information in this blog provides only an overview of Scottish Government guidance and legislation in force at the date of publication and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed Scottish Government guidance and legislation or seeking professional advice.  Therefore no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained in this blog can be accepted by the firm.