The KVF CCLD Fund is now open for applications.

The KVF CCLD Fund will close 1pm Thursday 20th August 2026. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered for any reason.

All applications must be submitted through CVS Falkirk & District’s Grant Funding Portal. Please note that all applicants will be required to register on the Grant Funding Portal before they will be able to submit their application.

Projects must have spent their grant and completed their activity by 28th February 2027. Projects must have all spend and final claim into the Accountable Body by 14th March 2027.

• Background

  Through the Scottish Government’s CLLD funding programme, investment is available for the financial year 2026/27 via a grant fund open to eligible applicants based in the defined Kelvin Valley and Falkirk area. The Kelvin Valley and Falkirk CLLD fund is for eligible rural communities located across the Falkirk Council, East Dunbartonshire Council and North Lanarkshire Council areas.

  The Fund will be delivered by CVS Falkirk & District (the Accountable Body) in partnership with the Kelvin Valley and Falkirk Local Action Group (LAG).

• Fund Priorities and Outcomes

  The Fund has a range of aims and policy alignments that applicants should consider when developing their application. All applicants should demonstrate how their proposed activities will contribute to one or more of the four priorities in this round:

  • 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 children and families
  • Enabling communities to carry out research, engagement, feasibility studies or other activities supporting the development of rural communities
• Eligible Areas

  The Kelvin Valley and Falkirk Rural Communities include:

  • Airth
  • Avonbridge
  • Baldernock
  • Banknock
  • Banton
  • Bonnybridge
  • Colzium
  • Croy
  • Denny
  • Dennyloanhead
  • Dunipace
  • Fankerton
  • Kinneil
  • Kirkintilloch, north of Canal
  • Lennoxtown
  • Milton of Campsie
  • Queenzieburn
  • Shieldhill
  • Slamannan
  • Torrance
  • Twechar
  • Waterside
  • Whitecross
• Applying

  Eligibility:

  Applications can be accepted from:

  • 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.

  Scottish Government’s Fair Work First guidance directs that groups in receipt of an award from the CLLD Fund MUST pay all employees the Real Living Wage, including apprentices. Where this is a barrier for any applicant, please contact CVS Falkirk change to CVS Falkirk & District to discuss your situation, by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

  What can and can’t be funded:

  Please find examples and guidance in the table below on what is considered a capital and revenue cost, and the types of costs that can’t be funded.

  The lists below are not exhaustive, if you are unsure if a cost from your application would be able to be funded, please contact CVS Falkirk & District by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

  Capital	Revenue
  Permanent building, development or infrastructure improvements on community buildings or spaces	Employee costs
  Permanent building, development or infrastructure improvements on community outdoor spaces	Volunteer expenses
  Electric Vehicle charging points (more than £10k)	Professional services (for eg feasibility study or architect support)
  Items of fixed equipment (more than £5k)	Training costs
  Vehicles (for eg bikes) (more than £5k)	Consumable items (eg food, stationery)
  Permanent energy efficiency improvements (more than £10k)	Smaller items of movable equipment (less than £5k)

   

  Can’t be funded:

  Loans, endowments or interest

  Political or religious campaigning

  Profit-making activities

  Statutory activities

  Overseas travel

  Alcohol

   

  Additional requirements when applying for a capital project:

  • Applicants MUST ensure that they can evidence that they have the right and/or permission to deliver a capital project for a community building or outdoor space.
  • Applicants MUST be able to provide 3 quotes, estimates or detailed evidence of proposed cost for capital items of expenditure.
  • Applicants SHOULD consider the length of time for which they can demonstrate a community ownership or benefit from any capital project, for example the length or terms and conditions of a lease, and detail any risk involved if the applicant were to relinquish or have removed the right and/or permission for community ownership or benefit from the capital project, for example where a private landlord has the right to abruptly end a lease.

  Grants:

  Applicants may request a grant of up to £15,000.

  Any level of match funding is welcomed but not essential, applicants may also detail any ‘in kind’ matching for example through proposed provision of volunteer hours to support the project if they wish.

  The KVF CCLD Fund will open for applications on Tuesday 7^th July 2026.

  The KVF CCLD Fund will close 1pm Thursday 20th August 2026. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered for any reason.

  All applications must be submitted through CVS Falkirk & District’s Grant Funding Portal. Please note that all applicants will be required to register on the Grant Funding Portal before they will be able to submit their application.

  The funded activity can begin on receipt of an award (successful applicants will receive their outcome by Wednesday 14^th October 2026) and projects must have spent their grant and completed their activity by 28^th February 2027. Projects must submitted all evidence of how they have spent the funds (for example payslips, invoices, receipts) and other reporting to CVS Falkirk & District (the Fund’s Accountable Body) by 14^th March 2027.

• Data Protection and Your Rights

  Data Protection and Your Rights:

  CVS Falkirk & District is committed to processing all personal data confidentially and in full compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR), its privacy statement, and data protection legislation. As the data controller, CVS Falkirk & District processes personal data lawfully, fairly, and transparently for specified purposes, ensuring data is accurate, secure, and retained only as necessary.

  In relation to funding applications, CVS Falkirk & District processes personal information under the legal basis of contract. Data provided will be used to process applications (including sharing with the funding panel), for performance monitoring, and for statistical reporting by CVS Falkirk & District, Falkirk Community Planning Partnership, and the Scottish Government. All information is stored securely, retained in line with grant requirements, and will not be shared beyond these purposes except to detect or prevent fraud.

  Applicants have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of their personal data. By submitting an application, you confirm you are authorised to do so, that you understand the fund’s criteria, and that you consent to CVS Falkirk & District holding and sharing your data as required to manage the grants process, including any personal data provided by third parties with their permission.

  For more information or if you have any questions, concerns please contact the organisation’s DPO: Victoria McRae, E: victoria@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

• What Happens Next

  When you submit your application through the CVS Falkirk & District Support Portal you will receive confirmation of receipt of your application, which will then be assessed and reviewed by an independent funding panel with a range of appropriate skills and expertise before decisions are made, and applicants are notified of the outcome.

  We anticipate receiving a high volume of applications and that we will be able to respond to most applicants with a decision by 14th October 2027. We will be unable to respond to individual requests for updates prior to this date.

  Please respond swiftly to any requests for additional information or evidence to help us process your application as soon as is possible.

  If you require any support in completing the application form or using the Grant Funding Portal, please contact CVS Falkirk & District by phone:  01324 692000, or email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

  Monitoring and Evaluation:

  Successful applicants should collect relevant information throughout the project lifetime both for their own records and learning, and to enable completion of all monitoring and evaluation requirements of the Fund. These monitoring and evaluation activities are an essential element of the Fund and provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success of funded community projects and the difference they can make to the lives of people living in rural areas. More information about the monitoring and evaluation requirements of the Fund will be shared with successful applicants when they receive their award.

  In addition to evidence and information about the impact of the funded project, applicants MUST retain and provide all defrayal evidence to demonstrate how their award has been spent, for example invoices, receipts, payslips or other forms of evidence that clearly demonstrate the use of the funding.

  Contact

  Contact our team:

  • By phone: 01324 692000
  • By email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
  • If you know which staff member you’re looking to speak with, please contact them via their direct mobile number listed on our Staff page (linked for your convenience).
• Frequently Asked Questions

  Q: Who is CVS Falkirk & District and why are they involved with this Fund?
  A: CVS Falkirk & District are the Third Sector Interface for the Falkirk District area and an experienced local funder. In order to distribute this Fund to local areas, Scottish Government requires an organisation to agree to be what is called an ‘Accountable Body’. CVS Falkirk & District have been the Accountable Body for this Fund since 2024.

  Q: My organisation/project is not based in Falkirk District, should we still apply to the CLLD Fund via CVS Falkirk & District?
  A: Yes, all CLLD Fund applications from eligible communities in the Kelvin Valley and Falkirk area should be submitted via CVS Falkirk & District’s online Grant Funding Portal.

  Q: How are applications reviewed and decisions made?
  A: Whilst CVS Falkirk & District administers the fund and undertakes due diligence checks, final application review and funding decisions are carried out by the Kelvin Valley and Falkirk Local Action Group.

  Q: Can my organisation have more time to spend this funding?
  A: Whilst we recognise that more time to deliver projects is almost always welcome, unfortunately no extensions can be granted. All funds MUST be spent by Sunday 28 February 2027 in order for awardees to comply with the terms and conditions of their grant.

  Q: If I have applied before, am I eligible to reapply (whether successful or unsuccessful)?
  A: Yes – both previously successful and unsuccessful applicants are eligible to reapply. Previous funding does not automatically exclude you from applying again. If you were unsuccessful before, your application should demonstrate that it has been meaningfully improved or present a new proposal.

  Q: What support is provided for applicants?
  A: The Kelvin Valley and Falkirk Local Action Group will be hosting two information sessions providing guidance to applicants. One will be held online on Wednesday 15 July 2026, and the other in-person on Thursday 16 July. For more information, and to register your place at either session, please contact CVS Falkirk & District by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk or by phone: 01324 692000

  Q: What is the difference between capital and revenue funding?
  A: Capital funding grants provides money to buy, create or improve physical assets (such as property, vehicles or equipment), whilst Revenue funding supports the delivery of activities and covers day-to-day project costs (such as travel and subsistence). Funding available includes a mix of both funding types, but most grants will be revenue funding.
  For example: A local charity now owns their community centre after a Community Asset Transfer, and they have a leaky tap that needs fixed. This is REVENUE expenditure. However if on investigation a bigger issue with plumbing and leaking water was uncovered, and the charity decides they actually need a whole new kitchen renovation. This is CAPITAL expenditure.

  Q: What reporting is required to evidence spend?
  A: In addition to evidence and information about the impact of the funded project, applicants MUST retain and provide all defrayal evidence to demonstrate how their award has been spent: invoices, receipts, payslips or other forms of evidence that clearly demonstrate the use of the funding.

  Q: Can organisations include costs for coordinating volunteer or managing the project, rather than only direct delivery costs?
  A: Yes, organisations may include reasonable costs for project management, administration or volunteer coordination where these are necessary to deliver the proposed project. Please note: groups in receipt of an award from the CLLD Fund MUST pay all employees the real Living Wage.

  Q: Can you use a percentage of the fund to cover core operating costs?
  A: While a set percentage of overhead costs cannot be included, you can use a full cost reovery model to apply for some funds. If you are claiming for overheads, as part of your application you must show how you calculated overhead costs and the share of which you are claiming related to the project you are seeking funding for.

  Q: Can I use AI to complete my funding application?
  A: AI can be used as a tool to support you in drafting content and structuring your application, but NOT to write an application for you. Your application must be truthful, accurate, specific and reflect your group’s real work and evidence. Please avoid generic or incorrect content as this may affect how your application is assessed.