The Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme, a £25m Scottish Government-funded programme supporting third sector organisations and communities through the shift from lockdown to recovery, is now open for applications.

Adapt and Thrive provides tailored support and funding to organisations so they can operate sustainably post coronavirus and continue to have a positive impact in their communities.

Applicants to this programme will receive support in areas such as adapting a business/organisation model, financial forecasting, developing new income streams or fundraising strategies, service design, and more. The funding includes grants between £5,000-£25,000, as well as flexible, 0% interest loans starting at £25,000 to implement the changes needed as part of an organisation’s plan.

Adapt and Thrive is delivered in partnership by Firstport, Corra Foundation, SCVO, Just Enterprise, Community Enterprise, and Social Investment Scotland.

The Communities Recovery Fund offers funding to reintroduce the delivery of existing services and activities that have been suspended or severely reduced because of the coronavirus, or deliver new services identified as a priority by the community as a result of coronavirus. The funding will consider grants for individual organisation applications between £5,000 – £25,000 and partnership applications up to £75,000.

The fund is delivered in partnership by Community Enterprise in Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Corra Foundation, Development Trusts Association Scotland, Glasgow West of Scotland Housing Forum, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, National Lottery Community Fund, and Scottish Communities Development Centre.

The two strands use a joint application system which means that, if required, a request can be made to both programmes simultaneously using a single application form.

Organisations interested in accessing support from the Adapt and Thrive programme and/or the Communities Recovery Fund can visit the SCVO website for further information and apply.

Adapt and Thrive runs regular Information Webinars and can be booked by following this link.

Support for charities and communities dealing with the impact of Coronavirus

Funders in Scotland are all talking and working together to try and work out how best they can help. In the first instance, most funders are offering flexibility to those they already fund so that money can be used in whatever way is most helpful right now. Corra Foundation is one of over 300 funders that has signed the ‘Stand with the sector statement’ http://covid19funders.org.uk/.

SCVO have developed a Third Sector Coronavirus information hub. The hub provides a range of advice on dealing with the impact of Coronavirus, including shifting services to digital platforms, supporting volunteers and the funding available to the sector in Scotland.  This website provides a useful first port of call for charities seeking funding, and a range of partners are working with SCVO to keep this information up to date. Visit https://scvo.org.uk/support/coronavirus to find out more.