Launch of Innovative ‘Cumbernauld CAN’ Project: Apply Now For Small Grants PB Fund Where You Decide

Cornerstone House Centre is delighted to announce the launch of ‘Cumbernauld CAN (Community Anchor Network)’, a new project supported by Scottish Government which aims to develop the connected capacity of the Cumbernauld community.

The project strives to enable Cumbernauld residents and organisations to work together to become better at responding to local needs. In this respect, ‘Cumbernauld CAN’ will provide a way to help the local community improve the place where they live. The initiative focuses on the principles and objectives identified within Scottish Government’s Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.  

This launch comes on the back of Cornerstone House Centre completing the purchase of a significant town centre community asset at 1 Esk Walk, Cumbernauld, G67 1BZ, thanks to the support of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scottish Land Fund. With this purchase now achieved, Cornerstone House Centre aims to further transform the physical building into a real community asset. The Cumbernauld CAN project will provide a platform for this objective to be realised over a three-year period.

It is anticipated that Cumbernauld CAN will develop, strengthen and grow the community’s capacity to make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Cumbernauld. This will be done in both a strategic and a practical way, with Cornerstone House Centre facilitating leadership and interventions as a recognised local Community Anchor Organisation.

A key element of the programme involves initiating Participatory Budgeting (PB) opportunities for local groups and citizens. Participatory Budgeting is a process where ordinary people are given power to democratically and collectively make key decisions on how public funding is spent.

SMALL GRANTS PB FUND ROUND 1 – APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

A Small Grants PB Fund has been announced today by Cornerstone House Centre as an initial Round 1 community investment PB funding pot. This funding is for community activities and projects that will benefit Cumbernauld. It is planned that further small grants opportunities from more PB funding rounds will be made available through Cumbernauld CAN as 2020 progresses.

Under Small Grants PB Fund Round 1, community-led voluntary groups in Cumbernauld are invited to bid for a small grant of between £50 and £500 under the Participatory Budgeting model. This may include charities, SCIOs, unincorporated associations and any other not-for-profit group. The fund is open to groups operating in Cumbernauld, including organisations that cover a wider geographical area but intend to utilise the funds specifically to benefit the Cumbernauld area.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT OF BETWEEN £50 AND £500

To make an application, please email events@cornerstone-house.org.uk to request an application pack. An application pack will be emailed, with a deadline of 12.00noon on Monday 16 March 2020 for submission of completed applications.

All applicants will then be invited to attend and present details of their proposal at an open Community Voting Event on Tuesday 24 March 2020. A democratic voting process will be facilitated with those in attendance at this Event to make final decisions on the distribution of funds.  

INVITATION TO ATTEND COMMUNITY VOTING EVENT FOR SMALL GRANTS PB ROUND 1 – YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS!

An open invitation is extended for Cumbernauld citizens and others with an interest in the Cumbernauld community to attend a Community Voting Event for Small Grants PB Round 1 on Tuesday 24 March 2020 from 11.00am-1.00pm at Cornerstone House Centre (1 Esk Walk, Cumbernauld, G67 1BZ). This Event will involve each funding applicant presenting about their proposal and detailing how it will benefit the Cumbernauld area. Attendees will then given an opportunity to vote on which proposals they would like to see funded, with results revealed on the day.  

If you would like to attend this Event and have your say in how a public fund is spent in the Cumbernauld area, please book places by telephoning Cornerstone House Centre on 01236 739220 or emailing events@cornerstone-house.org.uk by Friday 20 March 2020.

Click here to download ‘Cumbernauld CAN’ Small Grants PB Fund Round 1 Information Flyer