Details

Inspiring Scotland’s Creative Communities programme aims to support and empower communities to develop cultural activities that benefit individual and collective well-being. The Creative Communities Scotland Fund will distribute grants to grassroots community-led organisations in Scotland to develop and deliver projects that harness the power of creativity in supporting people and communities.

The programme is based on the premise that cultural activity has broad, interlinked benefits for people and communities, and that a participatory approach can lead to greater impact and drive unexpected outcomes. This Fund is focused on supporting communities who face barriers to engaging with cultural activities because of social, economic, cultural, physical or other challenges. This reflects the aims of the Scottish Government’s Culture Strategy to widen access and ensure culture is valued and made accessible to everyone.

Successful applicants will join the portfolio of charities which make up the Creative Communities Programme, becoming part of a community of practice facilitated by Inspiring Scotland to share ideas, challenges and approaches with others delivering similar work. Alongside peer learning, charities benefit from capacity building support through 1:1 advice, portfolio events and access to Inspiring Scotland’s pro-bono Specialist Volunteer Network.

Your project will support the Creative Communities outcomes. Your project must support at least one of these outcomes:

1. Provide the opportunity for people to engage in creative arts that they would not have otherwise, have fun and feel joy and pride.
2. Bring people together, building connections and reducing loneliness.
3. Help participants develop a wide range of improved skills for life, learning and work.

Premium information is available exclusively to SCVO members and supporters

Geographical areas funded: Scotland

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Capital, Revenue, Core costs

Fund award sizes

Minimum:

Premium information

Maximum:

Premium information

Notes on award amounts:

Premium information

Who can apply

Lead organisations should be not-for-profit and based in and/or primarily operating in Scotland. Proposals must be community led.

Maximum annual income:

£500,000

When to apply

Now open. Deadline for applications is Thursday 18th September 2025.

Next deadline: 18 Sep 2025

How to apply

Complete expression of interest. Full guidelines and information sessions can be found via the website.

Contact information

Exclusions

Premium information

Activites funded: Arts and culture Mental health care Recreation and social activities

Beneficiaries funded: Socially isolated people Offenders and ex-offenders Local communities Young people

Report inaccuracy

Last reviewed 2 days ago