Community Solutions Thematic Fund- Applications and Guidance
The Community Solutions Thematic Fund there are three separate but complementary funding streams. Individual supporting guidance for each of these streams can be found below.
All applications must be submitted to thematics@vanl.co.uk
If you have any queries, please contact Gordon.watson@vanl.co.uk or marta.szczepanska@vanl.co.uk
Application A- Innovation
This strand will aim to fund projects with new approaches to prevention and early intervention.
Innovation can be defined in this regard as a project that is piloting an approach or aiming to extend its reach and/or focus. This can build on previous ideas. For example, an innovative project can build on a past project that had demonstrable impact with a specific approach, in a specific area or with a specific age group, by exploring how the approach can be applied to a new topic, or how it would work in a wider area, or with a new age group that has not been supported before.
Often an innovation looks to improve the wellbeing of people in North Lanarkshire by filling a gap, address a key local priority or challenge.
CVS organisations can apply for a project cost of between £10k-50k.
Projects can run for between six and twelve months, delivered between 1st of July 2025 to 30th June 2026
Application B- Volunteering
Given the importance of volunteering to the sector, this strand will aim to fund projects with a focus on different approaches to volunteering.
Similarly, volunteering based projects can be defined as time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain involving the free use of the time and skills of individuals to help other people directly; their wider community or society; and/or the natural environment. Volunteering is not a substitute for a paid role but can complement paid roles.
CVS organisations can apply for a project cost of between £10k-50k.
Projects can run for between six and twelve months, delivered between 1st of July 2025 to 30th June 2026
Application C- North Lanarkshire Wide Applications
This strand will aim to fund organisations delivering across three or more of the six NL localities. This could include projects that are condition specific, or projects focussed on communities of interest or identity rather than geography. Funding for projects being delivered for two or less can still be applied for through LAF.
CVS organisations can apply for between £5k-15k.
Projects must run between 1st July 2025 to 30th June 2026.