Grassroots projects will be able to bid for a share of £500,000
to help build stronger communities this year as part of plans set
out in the Programme for Government.
The Community Cohesion Fund, launched last year to help local
community initiatives to address shared challenges such as social
isolation, the cost-of-living crisis, inclusion, employment and
housing, will be increased from £300,000 to £500,000 in 2026-27.
On a visit to the Big Hearts Community Trust in Edinburgh,
Equalities Minister said:
The Programme for Government places a renewed focus on community
cohesion, setting out practical actions to strengthen our
collective response to shared challenges and build more resilient
communities.
Building on the success of last year's launch in supporting the
excellent work of local organisations like Big Hearts, we are
increasing the Community Cohesion Fund to £500,000 this year.
This will mean we can help even more grassroots initiatives that
bring communities together, tackle division and promote
inclusion.
We will also establish a Ministerial Taskforce on Community
Cohesion to identify priority areas for action and address
emerging issues affecting communities.
Craig Wilson, Chief Executive, Big Hearts Community Trust said:
The universal language of football allows us to bring together
people from a wide range of backgrounds, and offer them
opportunities to build positive connections in their local
community. We were pleased to receive support from the
Scottish Government and the STV Appeal Community Cohesion Fund to
strengthen accessibility and inclusion across our support
services here in Edinburgh.
This funding enables our charity to host more football-based
activities as a neutral entry point of engagement for isolated
adults and young people, and extend the support to their
families. We are committed to make their local football ground a
trusted and friendly space where they are welcomed, feel listened
to and supported.
The Fund sits alongside substantial funding which supports wider
initiatives on areas such as advancing anti-racism, interfaith
dialogue, integration, tackling social isolation and loneliness -
helping to build connected, inclusive and resilient communities
by fostering trust, belonging and support for people and
communities across Scotland
Background
Full details of the 2026-27 Fund including routes to apply will
be published shortly
The Big Hearts Community Trust was one of 38 beneficiaries of the
Community Cohesion Fund in 2025-26. The Trust supports a wide
range of vulnerable and marginalised individuals and families,
with a particular focus on children and young people aged five to
18 experiencing poverty, trauma, neurodivergence, poor mental
health, social isolation, or risk of disengagement from education
and their communities.
