The fund is open organisations based within the Kelvin Valley and Falkirk region who are:

• third sector groups and organisations, for example: constituted community groups, charities, SCIOs, parent councils and social enterprises
• public sector bodies, for example: local authorities, schools and early learning settings and NHS Boards
• partnership applications where respective partners meet the eligibility criteria are welcomed, but not essential

The Kelvin Valley and Falkirk Rural Communities include Banton, Queenzieburn, Croy, Twechar, Torrance, Lennoxtown, Milton of Campsie, Kirkintilloch (north of the Canal only), Banknock, Dennyloanhead, Bonnybridge, Denny, Fankerton, Dunipace, Airth, Slamannan, Shieldhill, Avonbridge and Whitecross.

The fund will be administered by CVS Falkirk & District as the Accountable Body and follows the principles of bottom-up, partnership, integration, innovation, co-operation, networking, and area-based community approaches to projects. The four priorities in this round are:

• Supporting community facilities and eligible organisations to contribute to the achievement of net zero
• Sustaining, improving, and adding initiatives in rural communities that are most isolated, most disconnected, most in need of investment or most likely to experience inequalities
• Helping communities to address the cost-of-living crisis and eradicate poverty for individuals and families
• Enabling communities to carry out research, engagement, feasibility studies or other activities supporting the development of rural communities

Further information and guidance about the fund is available from CVS Falkirk & District, KVF CCLD Fund 2024.

 All applications must be submitted through CVS Falkirk & District’s Grant Funding Portal.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 4 October 2024. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered for any reason.

Projects must have spent their grant and completed their activity by 28 February 2025, with their final report submitted to CVS Falkirk & District by 21 March 2025.

The fund has been provided by the Scottish Government’s CLLD programme. The delivery will be overseen by the Kelvin Valley and Falkirk Local Action Group (LAG) a group of partner organisations representing economic, environmental and community interests in the Kelvin Valley and Falkirk area.