A small grants scheme which has supported a range of projects across the Levenmouth area in recent years has been boosted by a further £100,000.
The Levenmouth Reconnected Programme (LRP) Fund is managed by Fife Council and aims to maximise the economic and social opportunities presented by the new Leven rail link, the regeneration of the River Leven and its proposed path network, investments in renewable energy, and many other initiatives taking place across Levenmouth.
A total of £10 million was made available to support eligible local projects, and more than £2.3 million has been allocated under the Large Grant Scheme for applicants seeking more than £5,000 towards their initiatives.
However, the LRP’s Small Grant Scheme – for applications seeking under £5,000 - has also proven hugely popular, with almost £150,000 allocated to a number of projects thus far.
Councillors on the Levenmouth Area Committee have now agreed to add a further £100,000 to the Small Grants Scheme pot which should enable that programme to run for an additional year at least.
Programme manager Phil Clarke explained: “Initially £100,000 was allocated to the Small Grants Scheme over the course of 18 months, but an extra allocation on top of that of £50,000 was committed over the course of just six months – reflecting the growing popularity of the programme.
“The availability of small grants via the Levenmouth Reconnected Programme has been very well received by local community groups, charities, and businesses, and we’ve had significant interest from a number of other small projects seeking a grant in recent weeks and months.
“So it makes perfect sense for us at this time to extend the budget further, to achieve the wider aims of the Levenmouth Reconnected Programme and also benefit worthwhile projects across the area which otherwise might not have had access to funding like this.”
Small grant applications are now once again being accepted and these will be assessed, with a decision being made by the Local Community Planning Team.
These applications will be assessed on how well they meet the themes and objectives of the overall Levenmouth Reconnected Programme, how they integrate with the community, and their financial sustainability following completion of the project.
For full details of the Levenmouth Reconnected Programme and how to apply for funding via the Small Grants Scheme, visit Levenmouth Reconnected (fife.scot).
Applications for the latest round of the Large Grants Scheme are currently being progressed, and decisions on those are to be made later this year.
