Local Funding
Highland Council Funding
The Council can offer support to community groups with viable and sustainable projects that show clear economic benefits, and has leverage with other public funding organisations and agency partnerships. Current funding opportunities that the Council can assist with include:
Grants for feasibility studies
These may be awarded if there is a genuine need for the project and a feeling that the study will enable the project to progress. Small grants may be available for Community Projects, Events or activities. Contact the Ward Manager, Tigh na Sgire, Park Lane, Portree, Isle of Skye.
Community Enterprise Loan Fund
This fund is managed by Highland Opportunity Ltd. Loans may be used for any purpose and typical applications are for the purchase of land, buildings or equipment and also for working capital or bridging purposes.
Applications are invited from properly constituted non-profit distributing organisations in the Highland Council area. Loans of £5,000 to £50,000 are available on terms for up to seven years. Phone 01463 228340; Email info@highland-opportunity.com or visit the website www.highland-opportunity.com/4-square.html
Employment Grants Scheme
This scheme offers financial incentives to firms taking on new workers, i.e. additional and permanent jobs, for unemployed and disabled people and Government Training Scheme participants. Eligible firms are drawn from all sectors of industry in the Highland Council area and employ fewer than 250 full or part-time employees.
Community Benefit
The Council can also offer guidance and support through the Ward Manager to communities wishing to enter into negotiations with renewable energy developers.
Discretionary Budget
Each Ward receives a Discretionary Budget at the beginning of a new financial year. The Discretionary Budget is managed by the Ward Manager and applications are considered in consultation with the Ward Elected Members.
Some projects will be given priority, including those which attract funding from other sources. However, any reasonable applications, normally from community groups and organisations, will be considered.
If you want to discuss a potential project or have any queries about this fund please contact your Ward Manager.
Click the links below to download:
Highland Council Sports Grants
The Highland Council’s Education, Culture & Sport Service (ECS) targets its financial assistance to Highland-based sports projects and activities which contribute to the one or more of the following improvement themes identified in the ECS Service Plan 2005 - 2008.
Achievement for All
Participation and Inclusion
Health and Wellbeing
The Area Sports Council administers a scheme of sports grants on behalf of the Education Culture and Sport Service.
Start Up Grants
To encourage greater participation in sport at grassroots level.
Maximum level of funding – 50% up to £200
Available to newly affiliated groups
Groups should provide a detailed outline of their aims and objectives and full financial information on how they would propose to use the grant.
Coaching Grants
To encourage the development of more qualified coaches, e.g. a national governing body coaching or referee’s certificate; a Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) award, Sports Coach UK or other appropriate qualification.
Maximum level of funding – £250 per individual per course,£1,000 per club per course
Maximum award 50% of eligible costs which include travel, course fees and accommodation expenses
An additional 50% of costs may also be available through Coaching Highland; contact 01463 718483 or www.CoachingHighland.co.uk
Usually, applications must be made by, and grants paid to, the affiliated club rather than an individual
Grants are not normally available for applicants who fall within any of Coaching Highland’s 10 core sports
Recipients of awards should be prepared to assist with local events or coaching courses to the general benefit of sport in the area.
Sports Equipment Grants
To provide equipment to increase participation and access to sporting opportunities
Maximum level of support from Highland Council funds - £500
Maximum award 50% eligible costs
For equipment which becomes the property of the affiliated club
Clubs will be asked to insure the items of equipment purchased
Grants are not available for personal items such as team clothing; tracksuits, strips etc.
If a club ceases to exist within three years of receiving an equipment grant, then the equipment or a proportion of the sale value of the equipment should revert to the sports council.
Achieving Excellence in Sport Grants
To support individuals living in Highland who can provide appropriate evidence that they have been invited by a competitive and recognised selection process to join Regional or National/International squads
A formal letter of invitation to the squad / team must be submitted with the grant application form
Usually, applications must be made by, and grants paid to, the affiliated club rather than an individual
Maximum award 50% of eligible costs incurred in attending training or sessions or competing in events
Where more than one individual from an affiliated club is involved, the maximum grant available to that club shall not exceed £1000 in any one year
Maximum level of funding to benefit one individual in one financial year: Regional Squad (i.e. Highland or North District) £250; National Squad (i.e. Scottish)/International Squad (i.e. GB or European) £500
Final award will take account of other sources of funding that may be available such as Coaching Highland, Sports Lottery programmes, schemes run by governing bodies, representational grants for school pupils etc.
Sport Development & Events Grants
The purpose is to support clubs who want to develop their club or increase participation in sport by, for example, improving their infrastructure, junior sections, office bearer skills training, organising events etc.
Maximum level of funding – up to £500
Maximum level of grant 50% of eligible costs
Discretionary Grants
The purpose is to promote sport in the widest sense
Maximum level of funding – up to £500
Maximum level of grant 50% of eligible costs
Normally only available to affiliated sports council members
Exceptionally, available to non sports council members
Selected Guidelines
Limits: Travel 22p per mile; Subsistence £10 per day; Accommodation £35 per night
Grants will be available for sports activities which are recognised by sportscotland
Exclusions: funds will not be available for
Routine renting of accommodation, pitches and tracks
Annual running costs and up-keep of club premises
Routine repairs and maintenance
The salary, fees or other expenses of “resident” coaches engaged by clubs on a regular basis
The purchase of personal items such as team clothing, tracksuits, strips etc
No club shall receive more than £1,000 from Highland Council funds in any one financial year. No person shall be assisted either directly or indirectly by more than £500 in any one financial year. This applies both to direct grants paid to an individual (which are only available if there is no affiliated club relating to their particular sports in the Area) and indirect assistance via a club application.
To receive financial assistance from the Highland Council all organisations who work with children, young people or vulnerable adults must have appropriate policies in place to protect them from harm or abuse. Therefore, organisations applying for sports grants must have adopted suitable policies. More information
A copy of the club’s constitution and audited annual financial statement for the preceding financial year should accompany every application (unless these are already held on file by the sports council).
For a full copy of guidelines, terms and conditions, affiliation, application and evaluation forms, write to:
The Secretary, Skye & Lochalsh Sports Council, c/o Highland Council, Elgin Hostel, Dunvegan Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9EE.
Contact Local Area Active Sports Coordinator, Willie Mackinnon Willie.mackinnon@highland.gov.uk
Village Hall Funding
Village Halls: Highland Council External Funding Manager, Jeannie Graham, can assist Community and Village Halls with funding applications to external bodies. Phone 01463 702064 Email jeannie.graham@highland.gov.uk
Village Hall Revenue grants are available towards the running costs of a hall (i.e. electricity, insurance, rates, etc). This annual grant is for 25% of running costs up to a maximum of £816. Apply to Fay MacRae at Tigh na Sgire, Portree, Email fay.macrae@highland.gov.uk
Various Highland Council discount schemes are available for village halls:
Highland Council Village Halls Insurance Scheme
Community halls can benefit from the Council's contract with the Warehouse and Distribution Service for the supply of cleaning materials
Community halls can benefit from the Council's contract with Lyreco for office supplies
Community halls can seek advice in the purchase of items of equipment and furniture from the Highland Council's Purchasing Officer, Brian Tinker, Phone 01463 702143 Email brian.tinker@highland.gov.uk
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