University of Edinburgh Supports Locals Tackling Social Issues

Communities across the Edinburgh region are to benefit from a £70,000 project to support groups tackling vital social issues.

The University of Edinburgh’s Community Grants Scheme will help to provide support for children with disabilities, tackle the causes of poverty and aid vulnerable women with the plan that the scheme is to run for at least another two years.

The Community Grants Scheme is part of Edinburgh Local, the University’s strategy for continuing to make a positive contribution to the city. The Scheme, funded by the University’s Corporate Services Group, will support further collaborations and partnerships.

Among the first 16 projects to be awarded funding of up to £5000 is a programme of workshops to help reduce youth offending and anti-social behaviour in Mayfield, one of Scotland’s most deprived communities.

Comas, a charity that supports marginalised and vulnerable people in communities, will support women suffering from domestic abuse, poverty and poor mental health by offering them a programme of outdoor activities to improve their wellbeing.

A broad area across the Edinburgh region is benefitting from the grants, including Midlothian’s Mayfield and Easthouses district and the Northfield and Willowbrae area of the city.

Hugh Edmiston, Director of Corporate Services Group at the University of Edinburgh said, “We hope we can contribute to communities and support some of the fantastic local organisations who are doing great work in the Edinburgh region.”

The scheme is open to voluntary organisations with a recognised legal structure and social enterprises who are looking to fund projects or activities in the Edinburgh City Region, including the City of Edinburgh, Fife, West Lothian, Midlothian, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.
For more information on the funding rounds and criteria and a full list of organisations who have been awarded funding can be found on the Edinburgh Local website: https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/community-grants