New Summer of Sport grant fund launched for sports clubs across the Scottish Borders

Sports clubs and associations across the Scottish Borders are being encouraged to apply for a new funding opportunity designed to help more children and young people get involved in sport and physical activity.

The Summer of Sport Grant Fund, funded by sportscotland and administered by the Scottish Borders Council Sports Development Team, is now open to eligible ClubSport-accredited organisations across Berwickshire, Eildon, Roxburgh and Tweeddale.

The fund offers grants of up to £1,000 to support projects that create new opportunities for participation, reduce barriers to involvement and encourage more young people to enjoy the benefits of sport.

Supporting the next generation of participants

The funding aims to support high-quality sporting opportunities that reflect the ambitions of Scotland’s Summer of Sport programme while meeting local sports development priorities.

Applications are particularly encouraged from clubs looking to:

• Remove barriers to participation in sport and physical activity.
• Engage more children and young people aged three to 26.
• Strengthen pathways into long-term participation in sport.
• Develop coaches, volunteers and overall club capacity.
• Create lasting opportunities that benefit local communities.

The fund is intended to help clubs test new ideas, expand existing activities or introduce initiatives that make sport more accessible to a wider range of young people.

What can the funding support?

The Summer of Sport Grant Fund is designed to support projects that increase participation and create lasting opportunities for people to enjoy the benefits of sport within their communities.

Projects should align with the aims of the Summer of Sport programme and demonstrate how they will help engage more young people, strengthen local sporting pathways or build club capacity through coach and volunteer development.

The fund will not support capital projects, regular running costs, repairs or staffing costs. Clubs with project ideas that meet the wider aims of the programme are encouraged to get in touch, as alternative support may be available.

Quick decisions to help clubs get started

Applications will be assessed by a panel against the objectives of the Summer of Sport programme and local sports development priorities.

The panel aims to reach a decision within 14 days of receiving a completed application, with funding released shortly afterwards to allow successful clubs to begin delivering their projects.

Before you apply

Organisations considering an application should note that:

• Funding is available only to member organisations that meet the ClubSport accreditation requirements for Berwickshire, Eildon, Roxburgh or Tweeddale outlined within the application process.
• Grants are awarded in good faith on the understanding that agreed project outcomes and funding conditions will be met.
• Successful applicants will be required to submit a project report within 12 months of receiving their award.
• Scottish Borders Council reserves the right to recover all or part of a grant where the agreed conditions of award have not been fulfilled.

Apply now

Applications are being accepted now and the fund will remain open until available funding has been fully allocated or until March 2027, whichever comes first.

View application form

Any enquiries about the fund or application process should be directed to Chris Bryant at [email protected].

The fund presents an opportunity for sports clubs and associations across the Scottish Borders to develop new initiatives, increase participation and make a lasting difference to young people and communities through sport and physical activity.