Can Do Community Challenge Fund

The Can Do Community Challenge Fund is closing soon. The fund is designed to support eligible community organisations including community councils.

Community organisations have the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to tackle these identified needs, whether they require revenue, capital funding, or a combination of both. This is a chance for your community to shine and demonstrate its "Can Do" spirit.

This one-year investment fund is based on themes of Community Engagement, Community Ownership, and Community Leadership. Key requirements are that the applicant is a community organisation, planning to deliver their project within an eligible area in South Lanarkshire, has done some form of community consultation, and has identified a need that is reflected in the wider community. Up to £10k is available to deliver on the identified need in eligible South Lanarkshire areas and this can be revenue, capital, or a mixture of both. 

To apply, interested groups can access the online portal for community funds below where registration can be completed.

Further information and guidance can also be found on our online portal.

All applications that meet the criteria, will be moved to the next stage. Applications will be reviewed and decided upon at the council's four area committees.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 31 January 2024.

Applications will be assessed based on their impact on our Connect Council Plan community and environment priorities. Amongst the factors taken into consideration by scoring panel members are the reach of activity and the depth of community engagement in project ideas.

It is hoped that by encouraging new collaborations across diverse community groups in areas where no Participatory Budgeting funding arrangements are currently in place, we help facilitate their journey to creating their own neighbourhood plan.

For any enquiries or if you are looking for further information, please contact the Community Engagement Team at communities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or call 0303 123 1017.

Please note that while we can support local communities across South Lanarkshire, this particular fund is not available for priority urban neighbourhoods, as they have access to their own participatory budgeting funds. For more information on our local priority areas, visit the Community Planning Partnership website.