It’s not too late to apply for funding for projects from the ‘Communities in the National Park – Small Grants Scheme’.  The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is extending the programme by one month, with the new deadline for applications being 1 October 2004.

Projects supported so far have been wide-ranging, including drama performances and workshops, art displays and the creation of community gardens, with applications coming in from across the National Park.

Successful applicants include Carr-Bridge Community Arts, who received £3,000 to provide training for young people in film making techniques.  ‘Carr-Bridge in Motion’ resulted in a documentary about the community.

The Newtonmore and District Floral Art Club staged an exhibition titled ‘Out and About in the National Park’ with a grant totalling £500.  The group’s efforts were displayed in the local village hall in mid-July as part of the Kingussie Folk Museum’s 60th Anniversary celebrations.

Any community within the area who have a new and innovative project that shows how they are celebrating being in our new National Park can apply for financial support from the scheme.  As well as relevance to the National Park, applications need to show that a number of people in the community are involved and that the project will leave some lasting impact or result in the community after its completion.

The guidelines and application forms are easily accessible either by calling the CNPA office on tel: 01479 873535, or by downloading them from the web site (see below).

The scheme runs until 1 March 2005 but completed applications need to be received by the CNPA no later than 1 October 2004.  The CNPA can provide up to 100% of the cost of the project, with a maximum grant of £3,000 per project.  The minimum grant will be £500.  The scheme is part funded by the LEADER+Programme.

Application Form: word, pdf, text
Guidance Notes: pdf, text
Press release: pdf, text