sportscotland has announced a key change to its Sport Facilities Fund. From 1 April 2010, a new Small Project Fund will be introduced for capital projects with a value up to £100,000. The fund is open to applicants from across the sporting landscape from clubs, community sport hubs, governing bodies, local authorities and trusts.
This new funding stream will be based on a one stage application process a move which is designed to make the process easier and quicker for applicants to apply to sportscotland for funding. This means that ABS affiliated clubs can now apply directly to sportscotland to upgrade existing facilities
In a further development, the fund now offers community based groups the opportunity to apply for 100% funding for their projects up to a maximum of £50,000 in exceptional circumstances. Successful clubs must demonstrate that their project will have a significant impact on developing sport in the local community and that there is a clear financial need.
sportscotlands Sports Facilities Fund invests funding into the provision of new or upgraded sports facilities. The funding is invested into two main strands:
- School and Community Sport Facilities
- Performance Sport Facilities
School and Community Sport Facilities
This strand covers the provision or upgrading of sports facilities for community use. In the main, proposals will be led by local authorities, community sport hubs, clubs or trusts and can be located at schools, where community use has been/will be established.
Applicants will need to demonstrate that the proposed development will drive an increase in sports participation at community level.
Applicants will also need to demonstrate what links they have established/will establish with the sports programmes, strategies and/or initiatives operated by the local authority, national governing body for sport and their associates/partners
Performance Sport Facilities
This strand covers the provision or upgrading of facilities at centres designated as a national/regional facility by the relevant national governing body for sport.
The proposed facility must meet the needs of the governing body for international/national/regional competition, coaching or training, be part of the governing bodys facility strategy and have been developed in consultation with the governing body and local partners. The governing body will be required to provide written confirmation of its support for the proposal at the time of application.
Application information and stage one application form for the Sports Facilities Fund programme can be accessed through the following link;
http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/NR/exeres/0C03268A-BC5E-46EF-9F3A-EAD57708F6C4.htm
