Applications invited for second round of GRID Civic Grant Fund
Published: 14 May 2025
The Fund has been set up by the University to support social projects working or located in Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID).
A community funding programme resourced by the University of Glasgow is inviting applications for a second year.
GRID Civic Grant Fund has been set up by the University to support social projects working or located in Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID).
In its first year, 26 projects benefitted from grant funding totalling £70,000, with awards including support for those working with forces’ veterans, asylum seekers and families on low incomes.
The second round of funding is now open, with applications for awards of up to £5,000 closing on 25 June. A smaller fund making awards of up to £850 will be open all year round, coinciding with Glasgow's 850th anniversary.
Changes to the application process include an increase in the revenue cap for eligible applicants, from £200,000 to £250,000, and the creation of a new web landing page and online application form that should make the bidding process easier and quicker.
Funds aim to support local groups to make a positive impact for those living, working and learning within the innovation district comprising G3, G11, G12 and G51 postcodes.
Activities and projects eligible for support include those aligned with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and focused on, for example: equality, diversity & inclusion focused initiatives; health, wellbeing and fitness & sport; sustainability and climate change; food poverty; arts, heritage, and culture; education and outreach; finance / debt advice; underrepresented groups; and community spaces.
Uzma Khan, Vice-Principal for Economic Development and Innovation, and Deputy Chief Operating Officer at the University of Glasgow, said: “The first round of our Civic Grant Fund in 2024 received an enthusiastic response from groups across the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District. We’re proud to support a wide range of community-led initiatives that are helping to create positive change in the area.
“With funding becoming increasingly difficult to access, we hope the GRID Civic Grant Fund provides meaningful support for local organisations carrying out vital work.
“The University has a long-standing commitment to civic engagement, and programmes like this are part of our ongoing efforts to work in partnership with communities across Glasgow.
“We look forward to building on this foundation in the years ahead.”
Inaugural GRID Civic Grant Fund awardees included: Central & West Integrated Network; Community Veterans Support; Gilded Lily Inspiring Enterprise; Glasgow Boxing Academy; Invisible Cities; and Wing Hong Elderly Centre.
Sunny Govan Community Radio used support from the GRID Civic Grant Fund to produce a podcast series showcasing Govan and its people.
Steven Gilfoyle, development manager at Sunny Govan Community Radio, said: “We’re extremely grateful for the support provided by the GRID Civic Grant Fund, which made it possible for us to carry out this exciting project that celebrated local groups and fostered stronger connections within our community.”
Invisible Cities, a social enterprise working with people who have experienced homelessness, teamed up with Govan Community Project to bring well-being walks to local people.
Michaela Ditrichova, project manager at Invisible Cities, said: “We are very grateful to receive GRID Civic Grant funding. This helps us to carry on with the project Meet Me In Govan and have our weekly walks which have been attended by 913 people since we started running the programme.”
GRID is a civic and economic partnership between the University of Glasgow, Glasgow City Council and Scottish Enterprise, and covers 700 acres from the edge of Glasgow city centre, through the West End and the University’s Gilmorehill campus, to Govan and Linthouse.
- Organisations interested in applying for support from the fund can find full details here.
First published: 14 May 2025