Published 30 April 2024
Local organisations will benefit from two new Council funding streams set up to offset the impact of the cost of living in West Dunbartonshire.
The Youth Success Fund and Community Transition Fund, which were announced as part of the Council’s budget setting, open for applications tomorrow (1 May).
The £100,000 Youth Success Fund will support groups to deliver projects, activities and services focused on benefitting young people aged 0 -18 or up to 25 for young people who are care-experienced or have additional support needs. Projects should focus on building confidence, capacity, skills and resilience of young people.
The one-off grant of up to £10,000 must be used to deliver benefits for young people within West Dunbartonshire.
The £250,000 Community Transition Fund will provide support to groups that have been directly or indirectly impacted by the Council’s 2024/25 Budget or more widely by Scottish Government funding reductions in 2024/25.
It has been established to provide transitional support allowing groups time to develop business cases, apply for leases or asset transfer or submit funding applications to secure their long-term future.
More information, including full details of the criteria and how to apply for each of the funds will be available on the Council’s website on 1 May here at https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/community/community-grants/community-transition-fund/ and https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/community/community-grants/youth-success-fund/
Councillor Michelle McGinty, Chair of the Council’s Cost of Living Working Group, said: “I am delighted to launch these funds, which will go some way to easing the pressures our communities are feeling as a result of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
“Ensuring our young people thrive in West Dunbartonshire is a key focus and the Youth Success Fund will support local organisations to continue offering services that benefit this group, including projects and activities that give them the skills, confidence and resilience needed for a bright future.
“I would encourage any groups currently delivering activities for young people to look at the criteria and consider how this fund could help, as it can be used for a range of different costs including things like venue hire, events or transport.
“The establishment of these funds in the face of the huge financial challenges being faced by the Council shows our clear commitment to prioritising our communities and protecting them from the worst of the financial challenges being experienced across the country.”
Councillor Clare Steel, Vice Chair of the Cost of Living Working Group, added: “We know that some of our most valued local organisations are feeling the impact of financial pressures at a local and national level.
“We committed to establishing these funds to provide them with some reassurance and the Community Transition Fund in particular will help mitigate the impacts, supporting groups to progress with the next steps required for them to secure a viable future, so we can see them operating in West Dunbartonshire for years to come.
“I would encourage any group applying to read the criteria carefully and ensure you submit a full and detailed application.”
The Youth Success Fund will be open until 1 May to 31 May, while the Community Transition Fund will remain open until funds are fully exhausted.