Thursday December 11th 2025
Ellis Baverstock, Community Engagement Executive at GoFibre, marks the launch of the second round of the GoFurther Fund in the Scottish Borders, photographed in Eyemouth.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Communities across the Borders have received a festive fillip from a Borders-born broadband provider.
GoFibre is bringing back its GoFurther Fund, giving local charities, community groups and organisations in the Scottish Borders the chance to secure grants of up to £3,000 to support activities that make a tangible, lasting social impact.
Part of GoFibre’s wider social impact strategy, the GoFurther Fund is designed to help communities thrive in the areas where the company delivers its full-fibre broadband network.
This latest funding pot of £12,000 is open to applicants whose projects meet one or more of four criteria: Environmental Benefit, Community Well-being, Education and Skills, or Internet Safety and Digital Inclusion.
Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 31st January 2026.
Neil Conaghan, CEO of GoFibre said: “Bringing the GoFurther Fund back to the Borders feels like continuing our story right where it began, as we expand our network in the region. This area has always been at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to be a Borders-born business that’s not only building the broadband network, but also investing in the people who make these communities special. The GoFurther Fund is one of the ways we can give back – helping local projects reach their full potential.”
Since its launch in 2023, the GoFurther Fund has supported exceptional projects across Scotland. Past recipients include Escape Youth Services in Hawick, who secured funding for an additional youth worker to support their Friday drop-in clinic, enabling children across the region to continue benefiting from vital youth services.
Sian Snowden, service manager at Escape Youth Services, said: “Two years on, the impact of the GoFurther Fund is still felt every Friday night. That support allowed us to keep our drop-in sessions running when demand was rising and funding was harder to find, giving local young people a safe, positive place to go.
“If you’ve got an idea that could help your community and need a bit of extra funding, I’d say go for it. The application process was straightforward and the impact you can make with the funding is huge.”
Other projects funded to date have made a real difference in communities – from reducing social isolation and improving mental health, to expanding creative and social opportunities and strengthening local facilities and services.
Councillor Caroline Cochrane, SBC’s executive member for Community and Partnership Development for Scottish Borders Council, said: “I am delighted to see the return of the GoFurther Fund to the Borders, especially as it aligns so closely with our ambitions for thriving, resilient communities. The partnership between GoFibre and the UK Government’s Project Gigabit Programme is a fantastic example of how targeted investment and collaboration can deliver real, lasting benefits for our residents.
“By supporting local charities and groups, and expanding access to ultra-fast broadband, we are not only helping to bridge the digital divide but also empowering people to take forward projects that matter most to them – whether that’s improving wellbeing, boosting skills, or fostering greater inclusion. I encourage all eligible organisations to apply and help us build a stronger, more connected Borders for everyone.”
GoFibre is continuing to bring ultra‑fast broadband to the Scottish Borders through Project Gigabit, the UK Government’s programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast, gigabit-capable broadband.
The Scottish Government is playing a key role in delivering Project Gigabit procurements in Scotland by administering and managing the delivery of the contracts.
Earlier this month, the company celebrated a major milestone for the region, with the first residents in Innerleithen, Ayton and Chirnside now enjoying lightning‑fast full fibre connections. More than 500 additional premises across the Borders were also added to the network, widening access for even more households and businesses.
Construction work is currently under way in Eyemouth, Denholm, and Walkerburn, with expansion into Oxton, Jedburgh, and Galashiels on track to be completed before Christmas.
In total, over 26,700 premises in the Scottish Borders are already ready for service, enabling residents to enjoy seamless streaming on multiple devices, smoother remote working and rapid downloads, all powered by the speed and reliability of full fibre broadband.
The GoFurther fund reflects GoFibre’s local focus, rooted in supporting the communities served by its network, as well as hiring local; ensuring its people work where they live. To find out more about GoFibre’s social impact strategy visit gofibre.co.uk/social-value/.
Eligible organisations are encouraged to sign up by visiting gofibre.co.uk/gofurtherfund, and residents in the region can check GoFibre’s availability by visiting gofibre.co.uk/check-availability/.
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