Discover Funding Opportunities

Whiteside Hill Education and Training Fund

This fund provides bursaries to residents of the Kirkconnel & Kelloholm and Royal Burgh of Sanquhar and District Community Council areas to help them access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to enter or retain employment. The fund is provided by Whiteside Hill Wind Farm Community Fund. The Whiteside Hill Education & Training Fund is designed to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of people living in Kirkconnel & Kelloholm and Sanquhar & District. Courses leading to formal or recognised qualifications are favoured, though other courses will be considered where applicants can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support them in securing or retaining work. Awards can cover course fees, study aids and equipment, technical equipment, travel and subsistence costs, accommodation costs, childcare costs, and certain driving lessons. The maximum award for first time applicants is up to £1,500, second time applicants up to £1,000, and further applications up to £500 per year. Courses supported can be on a full-time or part-time basis and may include apprenticeships, SVQs, NCs, HNCs, HNDs, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate qualifications (excluding PhDs), short vocational courses and other courses that meet the fund purpose.

River Avich Hydro Education & Training Fund

This fund provides bursaries for individuals living in Inverinan, Lochavich, Dalavich, or Kilmaha seeking to improve their employability prospects or develop a new career. Awards can support participation in a range of courses, from short non-certificated courses to post-graduate degrees. Started in 2021, the fund is being provided by Awesome Energy Dalriada (AED), owner and operator of the River Avich Hydro-power Scheme. AED is a community benefit society set up and run by the local community to develop and operate the hydro scheme. Bursaries are available for individuals seeking to improve their employability prospects or develop a new career. The fund aims to support local residents in gaining the skills and confidence required to enter or retain employment in sectors including management of natural resources, STEMD, construction, tourism, hospitality, food and drink, rural development, health and social care, education, creative industries, and other sectors generating benefits for the local community. Bursaries can support a wide range of courses, full or part-time, including driving lessons/tests, Modern Apprenticeships, Foundation Apprenticeships, NC, HNC, HND, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate qualifications (but not PhDs), and short vocational courses. Bursaries can cover travel, subsistence, childcare, driving lessons and tests, study aids, technical aids/equipment, course fees not already being paid for from elsewhere, and accommodation costs.

Patna Education & Training Fund

The Patna Education & Training Fund provides grants of up to £1,500 to help local people aged 16 or over to take up and progress through education and training courses, to increase their skills and enable access to a wider range of further training or employment opportunities. It helps people overcome financial barriers that might otherwise prevent them from starting, completing, or participating fully in courses. The fund is made available by the owners of the South Kyle Wind Farm to improve opportunities and livelihoods for people living in Patna. Participation in a wide range of courses can be funded (full or part-time), including Modern Apprenticeships, Foundation Apprenticeships, NC, HNC, HND, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate qualifications (though not PhDs), and short vocational courses. Funding can be used to cover course fees where these cannot be met from other sources and support costs such as study aids, equipment and accommodation. The fund can also support travel, subsistence or childcare to enable attendance. Awards can support costs that are directly related to attending your course or apprenticeship, including course fees, study aids and equipment (e.g., laptops, software, and stationery), technical aids/equipment (e.g., specialist clothing relating to the course, tools, and other specialist equipment) capped at £700, and travel and subsistence costs at a flat rate of £15 per day.

Old Luce Education and Training Fund

This fund provides bursaries to residents of the Old Luce Community Council area to help them access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to enter or retain employment. The purpose is to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of people living in Old Luce. Priority is given to courses leading to formal or recognised qualifications, though other courses will be considered where applicants can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support securing or retaining employment. Participation in a wide range of courses can be funded including Modern Apprenticeships, HGV Licence Training, Foundation Apprenticeships, HNC, HND, undergraduate degrees and post-graduate qualifications (though not PhDs). Awards can cover course fees, study aids and equipment, technical aids, travel costs, accommodation costs, and driving lessons with practical and theory tests.