A new fund has been created to support the resilience of West Lothian communities with the impact of Covid-19.
The Council Executive approved proposals to change the way the council funds West Lothian voluntary organisations by creating the £400,000 Third Sector Community Support Fund.
This aims to open up the application process to all third sector organisations, to help address the key issues facing our communities as we move through the pandemic. The focus of the new grant scheme is around some of the key issues that have been identified as being particularly increased due to Covid-19.
These are income and employment, health and mental wellbeing and homelessness, with particular emphasis on supporting our most vulnerable communities.
Executive councillor for voluntary organisations, Kirsteen Sullivan, said: “The £400,000 Third Sector Community Support Fund will play a major role in supporting our amazing voluntary sector in West Lothian.
“This new approach to funding has been developed in partnership with local voluntary organisations, to help us work together to respond to the challenges we face in West Lothian.
“This £400k grant funding is just one element of a more strategic approach to funding third sector organisations which will also include commissioned services as well as training, advice and support from our advisers.
“Working with voluntary organisations, work towards our shared goals of supporting our communities and vulnerable individuals in the aftermath of the pandemic.”
For more details, or to apply, please visit https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/65737/Third-Sector-Community-Support-Fund.
Organisations can apply for up to £50,000 of funding under three broad categories: income and employment; physical and mental health and wellbeing and housing and homelessness issues.
Anyone who needs support and advice with their application should email regenerationteam@westlothian.gov.uk. The deadline for application is noon on Wednesday, November 11.
