Community groups have begun to benefit from our Build Back a Better Borders Recovery Fund which is open for applications until 31 May 2022.
The one-off £500,000 fund launched on 1 June, having being established as part of the response and recovery efforts relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The aim is to provide support for initiatives, projects or events that will ‘re-boot’ or ‘kick start’ activities relating to sport, culture, volunteering, tackling environment and climate change issues with the overall aim of strengthening community capacity, resilience and engagement.
It is also able to support events and projects that are looking to recognise the significant contribution made by individuals and groups throughout the pandemic by way of increased volunteer activity and service to their communities.
Melrose Scout Group is delighted with their award
One of the first to receive an award has been the Melrose Scout Group who celebrated their £10,900 grant with a summer camp and fun weekend at their outdoor classroom on the Old Melrose Estate.
A total of 50 scouts took part in a range of activities including overnight camping, a nature walk and treasure hunt, den building, construction of a giant catapault, archery, slacklining, stretcher building and various other team building activities. They also created some artwork to represent the beautiful natural surroundings of the Borders and of course, took part in a traditional scout singsong.
William Younger, Chairman of the Melrose Scout Group
“For the past 18 months or so it has been difficult to deliver traditional scouting activities but with the easing of restrictions, it’s been great to move outdoors again and restart our camping and bushcraft activities.
“This amazing award will enable us to expand our outdoor classroom through the installation of a large all-weather marquee. We’re also buying additional tents and other camping equipment as well as four canoes which will enable us to fully utilise the River Tweed which provides a wonderful resource right on our doorstep.
"We’re also looking to offer scouting to pupils at Earlston High and the St Boswells, Newtown St Boswells and Lilliesleaf primary schools, as well as expanding our water activities with more raft building and canoeing. We would encourage anyone who is interested in becoming either a member or a volunteer to get in touch to find out more.”
Councillor Robin Tatler, Executive Member for Community Development and Localities
“The Build Back a Better Borders Recovery fund is a significant part of our commitment to doing all we can to support communities and local community groups with the Covid-19 recovery effort.
“I am delighted that groups across the Borders are having their applications accepted and being able to benefit from these much needed awards. The initiative being shown by the Melrose Scouts is exactly what the Fund was created to support and I wish them well with all their future plans.
“The Fund remains open until 31 May 2022 so there is plenty of time for more groups to get have a look at the criteria and get their applications in as we’re keen to support as many as we can.”
More information
- The BBBB fund is available for one-off new initiatives and projects and has been divided between the five localities of Berwickshire, Cheviot, Eildon, Teviot and Liddesdale and Tweeddale. It is available to both constituted groups (maximum £15k) and non-constituted groups (maximum £5k, with payment through an umbrella body).
- Applications must be for new initiatives and projects that aim to support the region’s recovery from the pandemic. They should be accessible to all within the community and be provided free of charge.
- Projects or initiatives will also need to demonstrate how they will meet at least one of the following outcomes: improved access to sport; improved access to arts and culture; increased volunteering capacity; improved or enhanced community capacity, resilience and engagement; support for local environment enhanced in a sustainable way; greater intergenerational work.
- You can find out more about the application process and eligibility criteria on our website.
Images of the Melrose Scout Group’s summer camp are available on our Flickr page