Dumfries and Galloway Coastal Benefit Fund

This fund is now closed for 2026

About the funding

For the 2026 round, approximately £604,000 was available to support third sector, community‑led projects that benefit coastal areas.

Projects were required to support the principles and outcomes of the Council Plan 2023–2028 and contribute to the development of the Blue Economy, including one or more of the following:

• environmental enhancement
• emissions reduction or waste removal
• job creation
• tourism
• skills development
• diversification projects
• investment for community benefit
• climate change adaptation

Funding streams (2026)

Two funding streams were available in 2026:

Small community‑led projects

• up to £5,000 per project
• approximately £151,000 available in total
• up to 100% funding available (match funding encouraged and scored more favourably where requests were up to 80%)

Large community‑led projects

• up to £50,000 per project
• approximately £453,000 available in total
• up to 100% funding available (match funding encouraged and scored more favourably where requests were up to 80%)

Assessment process

All applications submitted by the deadline will be subject to a compliance check covering governance, constitution and published annual accounts. Eligible applications then be assessed by a scoring panel using an agreed scoring framework.

Recommendations for awards are being considered by the Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee in May 2026, with final decisions made at Members’ discretion.

Successful applicants will be required to accept the council’s award conditions before any payment is made.

Further details

For more information or support:

contact your local Ward Officer
Email: [email protected]

Privacy

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