Details

The Ethnic Minority Development Fund (EMDF) is available to any ethnic minority-led voluntary or community organisation in Scotland. The EMDF has been developed in partnership between CEMVO Scotland and The National Lottery Community Fund.

The EMDF offers funding for various projects that benefit ethnic minority people and communities in Scotland. If awarded, this funding is restricted and must be spent on the project that you applied for.

You should plan for your project to start on the 1st of September or later, as this is the earliest you can expect to receive the funding if successful.

In your application, you must explain how your project will meet at least one of the following outcomes:

• Bring ethnic minority people together and build strong relationships across communities
• Help more ethnic minority people to thrive by supporting them early
• Improve places and spaces that matter to ethnic minority communities
• Projects must also involve the community in the design and delivery of activities.

They can fund:

• running costs for your organisation
• one-off events
• equipment
• staff and training costs
• transport and utilities
• volunteer expenses
• small land or refurbishment projects

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Geographical areas funded: Scotland

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Revenue

Fund award sizes

Minimum:

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Maximum:

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Average:

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Annually awarded:

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Who can apply

You can apply if your organisation is a:

• Constituted voluntary or community organisations
• Constituted groups or clubs
• Not‑for‑profit companies
• Registered charities (unincorporated)
• SCIOs
• CICs operating for at least six months
• Faith‑based organisations

This fund is for ethnic minority led organisations that have had no or limited funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

To be eligible to apply, organisations must:

• Be ethnic minority led (60% or more of their committee and leadership are from ethnic minority backgrounds)
• Have an annual income under £100,000 per year
• Not currently have long-term funding from TNLCF (by this, we mean a grant longer than 2 years)
• Have not received long-term funding from TNLCF in the last 3 years

Therefore, groups that have only received Awards for All grants or currently hold an Awards for All grant can apply to the EMDF. However, since funding is limited, we may prioritise applications from organisations that have never received funding from TNCLF before.

Maximum annual income:

£100,000

When to apply

Applications are currently closed as of 26 May 2026.

How to apply

Steps:

• Start with your community idea
• Check eligibility (get in touch if you have any questions about eligibility)
• Get support from CEMVO
• Download form (standard or easy‑read)
• Complete application
• Submit via email or post by the deadline (next deadline TBC)

Standard and easy read applications forms can be downloaded from the Cemvo Scotland website. All completed forms should be e-mailed to: [email protected] or sent by post.

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Exclusions

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Activites funded: Citizenship and community involvement Community development and regeneration Education and training General charitable activities Sport and physical activity Recreation and social activities

Beneficiaries funded: Black and Ethnic Minorities Refugees and asylum seekers Religious and Belief Groups

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Last reviewed 23 days ago