Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) is delighted to announce the newly remodelled Community Solutions Thematic Fund will be open for applications from the 5th February 2025. From the recurring funding received from University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire (UHSC-NL), VANL has £316,000 of funding available for Community & Voluntary Sector (CVS) organisations to apply for.

The intention of the new funding model is to ensure the funding is more dynamic and responsive to changing themes and priorities on an annual basis, including the priorities of the Community Solutions Strategy and Investment Plan, UHSCP-NL Strategic Commissioning Plan and Programme of Work, and public health priorities. The funding is split into three strands: Innovation, Volunteering and North Lanarkshire Wide Projects.

The available funding will be separated into three strands however Innovation and Volunteering are currently closed and will reopen in 2026 leaving in this current cycle:

• NL-Wide Applications (Round 2): This strand will aim to fund organisations delivering projects across three or more NL localities. This could include for example projects that are condition specific or projects focussed on communities of interest or identity rather than geography. This will be split over two calls for applications, with each call having £31,000 to distribute. The first call was in line with the launch of the fund (February) and the second application window is open from 30th September and closing 24th October 2025. Applications should be made in the range of £5,000 to £15,000. Funding for projects being delivered for two or less can still be applied for through LAF.

Funding Surgeries

A funding surgery is an opportunity for an organisation to meet with a member of staff to discuss their application and determine if there are alternative sources of funding that are more suitable.​ These sessions will be led by 2 members of staff with 20minute slot.

14th October 10am-12pm (in person). Click here to sign up

14th October 10am-12pm (online). Click here to sign up