Micro grant fund information and guidance
About the micro grant fund
The Tour de France Grand Départ presents a unique opportunity for communities across the Scottish Borders to come together, celebrate, welcome visitors and showcase local pride.
The micro fund has been created to support local groups, organisations and communities to deliver small-scale activities that help create a vibrant atmosphere in the lead-up to and during the event.
The fund aims to encourage community participation, increase local pride, support active lifestyles and help create a lasting legacy from this internationally significant event.
Grant value
Key information:
- Grants of between £100 and £1,000 are available
- Applicants may apply for up to 100% of eligible project costs
- Funding will be paid in advance upon approval of the application
Who can apply
Applications are welcome from:
- community councils
- community and voluntary groups
- registered charities
- development trusts
- youth organisations
- sports clubs
- constituted community organisations
- residents' associations
Applications from partnerships between organisations are encouraged.
Individual applicants and commercial businesses are not eligible to apply under this fund.
What can be funded
The fund will support activities that celebrate and promote the Grand Départ and encourage community participation.
Examples include:
- community celebrations and festivals
- family, youth and cycling activities
- arts, culture, heritage and exhibitions
- live music and entertainment
- town and village dressing and decoration
- community volunteering initiatives
This list is not exhaustive and innovative ideas are welcome.
What cannot be funded
The fund will not support:
- activities that have already taken place
- political or religious activities
- projects that primarily benefit one individual
- core costs for existing activities
- gifts and prizes
- alcohol purchases
- fundraising activities for private gain
- statutory services and costs
- costs not directly related to the event
- activities that conflict with the values of the Tour de France Grand Départ programme
Assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Community participation
- How much will local people have opportunities to take part?
- Celebration and promotion
- Does the activity help create excitement and celebration around the Tour de France Grand Départ?
- Community benefit
- Will the project bring people together and create positive experiences?
- Deliverability
- Is it likely that the project can be delivered successfully within the proposed budget and timescale?
- Value for money
- Are the costs reasonable and proportionate?
- Inclusivity and accessibility for all
- Does the project demonstrate that they have actively considered and acted to increase inclusivity?
Priority may be given to activities that encourage participation from children and young people, volunteers, and under-represented groups, as well as events that support the aims and objectives of the Grand Départ JOY programme
How to apply
The online application process has been designed to be simple and accessible.
Applicants will be asked to provide:
- name of organisation
- contact details
- brief description of the proposed activity
- location and date of activity
- amount requested
- simple income and expenditure budget
- estimated attendance
- expected benefits to the community
A full list of the application questions is available.
Applications should be submitted by 31 January 2026. Please note that the fund may close earlier should all funding become allocated.
Payment of grant
Successful applicants will receive 100% of the approved grant value in advance of the event taking place.
Organisations are expected to use the funding solely for the approved activity. We reserve the right to recover funding where grant conditions have not been met.
Monitoring and reporting
To keep reporting as simple as possible, successful applicants will be required to submit a short online evaluation form within four weeks of the activity taking place.
The evaluation form will ask for:
- number of people who attended
- number of volunteers involved
- photographs of the activity
- a short description of what took place
- examples of the benefits created for the community
Applicants will also be asked to share any stories, testimonials or feedback that demonstrate the impact of the funding.
Grant conditions
Successful applicants must:
- deliver the activity as described in their application
- acknowledge support from the Grand Départ Community Activation Fund in publicity and promotional material
- comply with all relevant health and safety requirements
- obtain any licences, permissions or insurance required
- submit the required evaluation information within four weeks of the event
Failure to comply with these conditions may affect eligibility for future funding opportunities.