There’s still time to cast your vote in Cumbernauld grant scheme for good causes

The Survey, which can be accessed by clicking here, will determine which of 27 community and voluntary sector organisations operating in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, Northern Corridor and surrounding villages receive between £750 and £1,000 to deliver specified community projects to benefit the local area.

This activity forms part of Cumbernauld CAN (Community Anchor Network), a Scottish Government-supported project introduced by Cornerstone House Centre in 2020 which aims to develop the connected capacity of the Greater Cumbernauld community.

Over a three-year period, the project will strive to enable Cumbernauld residents and organisations to work together to become better at responding to local needs, built on the theme of community empowerment.

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.

Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, commented: “The Community Voting is to facilitate community-led allocation of Small Grants PB Fund Round 2, a small grants programme which was announced as part of Cumbernauld CAN in November 2020.

“Those living in Greater Cumbernauld and others with an interest in the wider Cumbernauld community are asked to participate in the online Survey, which will take no longer than 5-10 minutes to complete. Respondents are invited to select the three proposals they believe to be most worthy of being funded.

“The proposals that can be voted for have been put forward by Abronhill Regeneration Forum, ADFraming, Bethlehem House of Bread Food Bank, CACE Older People Active Lives, Christians Against Poverty (CAP), Chryston Community Council, Clyde FC Community Foundation, Cornerstone Christian Christian Fellowship, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Care, Cumbernauld Colts Community FC, Cumbernauld Community Forum, Cumbernauld FM, Cumbernauld Poverty Action, Cumbernauld Resilience Group, Cumbernauld Together, North Area Crime Prevention Panel, North Lanarkshire Women’s Aid, Northern Corridor Community Volunteers, One Parent Families Scotland (North Lanarkshire Service), Palacerigg Community Farm, PALS (Play and Learning Support), Partners In Play, Police Scotland Youth Volunteers Cumbernauld, SBH Scotland (Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland), St Lucy’s Youth Zone, Tool Library Cumbernauld and Watch Us Grow.

“It is anticipated that funding will be awarded to around half of all proposals (the most-voted-for ones), with the exact number of organisations receiving grants depending on the monetary value of the top ranked proposals.

“In May, over 1,000 Survey votes resulted in 11 community groups receiving funding and initiating a range of successful projects through Small Grants PB Fund Round 1. This funding round enabled activities such as establishment of a new weekly running event in Cumbernauld, continuation of a ‘Sheila Shed’ group for older women in the local area, facilitation of outings for children with additional support needs and teaching repair skills to Cumbernauld citizens.

“If you have missed out an applying for funding through Small Grants PB Fund Round 2, the good news is that plans are afoot for Cornerstone House Centre to release a third round of PB funding in early 2021.”

“Through Small Grants PB Fund Round 2, community-led voluntary groups benefiting Greater Cumbernauld were invited to bid for a small grant of between £100 and £1,000 under the PB model. This was open to charities, SCIOs, unincorporated associations and any other not-for-profit group.

“The project had originally intending for funding allocation to be decided through in-person Community Voting Events, however this has not been possible in Rounds 1 and 2 in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“An online Community Voting Survey was considered as a fair alternative way for members of the public to have the opportunity to cast their vote, also ensuring that applicant organisations do not have to wait many more months for a decision.

“It is recognised that moving to an online Community Voting process does have some drawbacks, with some local people potentially not able to access the internet. If you are aware of anyone who would like to cast their vote but does not have computer or internet access, please contact Cornerstone House Centre and a telephone or postal Survey response can be organised.

“The deadline for submission of the online Community Voting Survey is Wednesday 6 January 2021 at 12noon. It is planned that Survey results will be publicly made available towards the end of January 2021, with funds to be distributed to successful applicant organisations by Monday 1 February 2021.

“If you would like further information or have an enquiry in relation to the Community Voting process or Cumbernauld CAN project, please telephone Cornerstone House Centre on 07940 569527 or email [email protected].

To vote access https://www.cornerstone-house.org.uk/vote-online-now-to-determine-which-cumbernauld-community-project-proposals-receive-funding/