Thursday May 22nd 2025
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Scottish Borders Council is offering grants of at least £20,000 to projects which can help revitalise the region’s economy and tackle inequalities.
The local authority has announced the launch of an open grant scheme as part of the UK Shared Prosperity programme for 2025-26, providing community groups with the opportunity to access funding for transformative projects that enhance health, safety, and economic growth in the region.
Following the announcement by the UK Government regarding the availability of a transitional one-year UK Shared Prosperity programme for 2025-26, £500,000 has been set aside for the open grant scheme.
The initiative provides community groups the opportunity to access funding for projects that meet specific themes.
Projects will be supported that assist in reducing crime or fear of crime or which help to bring communities together such as tackling homelessness.
Projects which develop the visitor economy or improve high streets and town centres and support local business are also being prioritised.
Both capital and revenue funding is available.
To qualify for funding, projects must require a minimum of £20,000 and be ready to begin immediately. Additionally, match funding and all necessary statutory approvals must be secured and in place at the time of application.
Due to the very short timescale for delivery, there will be a single funding round which will take place in mid-summer. All successful projects must be completed by the end of March 2026.
Councillor Scott Hamilton, SBC’s executive member for Community and Business Development, said: “UK Shared Prosperity Fund is an important source of funding to enable progression of large capital and revenue projects which have capacity to develop infrastructure for the future, build our local businesses and develop the skills of our local workforce.
“Although the funding is only for one year, much can be gained from the larger scale funding offered by this fund to invest in our communities for the future.”
Community groups with projects that fit the criteria are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) as part of the external funding process. Successful submissions will receive guidance on advancing their SPF application, ensuring alignment with the fund’s criteria.
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