UofG Dumfries Civic Fund opens doors for local community projects
Published: 18 August 2026
Community spirit in Dumfries is getting a boost, thanks to the University of Glasgow Dumfries Civic Fund.
Tackling online misogyny, promoting healthy lifestyles through table tennis and creating a social space for bowlers and the public - community spirit in Dumfries is getting a boost, thanks to a new University of Glasgow fund.
The inaugural University of Glasgow Dumfries Civic Fund will see £25,000 shared between seven local projects, as part of a programme of support for communities around the University’s south of Scotland campus at The Crichton.
The diverse range of projects include using history and the suffragette movement to tackle online misogyny and gender-based prejudice among young people, establishing a youth-led community well-being trail, promoting healthy lifestyles through table tennis and creating a social space at a local bowling club for members and the public.
Other projects include a free forest school programme during the October school holidays, helping to buy equipment for local Police Scotland Youth Volunteers and funding a programme of school education visits for pupils who face financial barriers.
The University of Glasgow Dumfries Civic Fund builds on work already carried out by the University within the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District where a similar fund was launched in 2024, and has to date awarded over £100,000 to more than 50 local projects.
Douglas Shand, Professor in Leadership & Enterprise at the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability, University of Glasgow, and the Dumfries Civic Fund co-ordinator, said: "The intention was to take what already worked in Glasgow and adapt it to work for the Dumfries campus and the people of Dumfries.
"We received 39 applications - with almost all of them identifying meaningful and interesting projects. Most of the projects have introduced us to new organisations and new initiatives, which open interesting opportunities for cooperation and collaboration.
"The funded projects also create exciting opportunities for our students to volunteer, work on dissertations and projects and for them to identify future employment opportunities."
He added: "Informing the seven projects selected for funding was a very fulfilling moment for me. As someone who grew up in Dumfries in an economically deprived area, this opportunity to help support these worthwhile initiatives was very exciting.
"Where I think this gets interesting is the cross pollination and collaboration opportunities the University can identify and enable. This will be a long-term element of the civic fund project, and something that could bring ongoing interest and engagement.
“For example, the North West Community Campus struggles to find volunteers to help run their summer fete - and the Dumfries Police Volunteers provides volunteers. These projects can clearly support each other moving forward."
Protests and Suffragettes CIC (P&S) will deliver a targeted education project in six (primary and secondary) schools across the Dumfries town boundary using the history of the local and national suffrage movement to challenge the documented rise of online misogyny and gender-based prejudice among young people.
Recent concerns about harmful online content, misogynistic influencers and gender stereotyping highlight the need for preventative education that promotes equality, respect and critical thinking. The experiences of the suffragettes and other historical women changemakers provide a powerful historical framework through which young people can explore how discrimination operates and how individuals and communities can challenge it.
Dr TS Beall, Director of Protests and Suffragettes, said: "We're excited to bring creative workshops to Dumfries schools and thank the University of Glasgow for recognising the vital importance of our work.
"Learning about the challenges local suffragettes and other women changemakers faced over a century ago when they fought for the right to vote, young people will be encouraged to think and discuss how these societal behaviours are relevant to modern-day misogyny.
"As reported cases of misogyny rise in classrooms throughout Scotland, there is a real urgency for young people to learn about how our current rights were won by those who came before us."
At North West Community Campus, the University says it has identified an opportunity for its international students to visit the school and provide cultural and geographical lectures to introduce primary and secondary schools to new countries through first-hand experience. Students and staff could also teach parents basic IT and internet skills, health, wellbeing, hobbies and crafts.
Dumfries Table Tennis Club is working to enable healthcare referrals from GPs to their club and is looking at research opportunities with the University to demonstrate both health recovery and fall prevention benefits of the sport.
One of the few purpose-built table tennis centres in Scotland, the club wants to use its position to demonstrate to other communities that a table tennis club is more than just somewhere to play table tennis; it can also be part of an overall community health solution. The club says if it can provide solid research to back this up, it may help other communities to get funding for dedicated table tennis resources.
Faced with limited space and opportunity to raise funds, Royal Crichton Bowling Club will use the funding to help equip a new kitchen and social space that will enable members to offer events space and catering, helping raise funds and increase the visibility of the club.
The club already works with several charities including an autism group and a stroke recovery group, and will offer taster sessions and coaching to students and staff and hopefully introduce a new generation to the sport.
Andrew Docherty, Head of Economic Development Projects Research & Innovation Services, University of Glasgow, said: "We are delighted to see the inaugural awards from the University of Glasgow Dumfries Civic Fund. They reflect the widespread ambition, creativity and commitment in the Dumfries area, and we are pleased to be able to contribute to supporting the many volunteers and community organisations who are turning these great civic ideas into new projects capable of delivering a meaningful and lasting local benefit."
University of Glasgow Dumfries Civic Fund 2026 Successful Projects
Protests and Suffragettes CIC received £4,500 for Dumfries and Galloway: Inspiring Changemakers and Challenging Misogyny. The project will deliver educational workshops in six Dumfries primary and secondary schools, using the history of the suffrage movement to encourage discussions around equality, respect and critical thinking, while helping young people challenge misogyny and gender-based prejudice.
Include Us received £4,500 for Path to Pause: A Youth-led Wellbeing Trail in and around Catherine Street Inclusive Park. The project will support marginalised young people to co-design a community wellbeing trail featuring sensory markers, creative prompts and nature-based installations, alongside a programme of inclusive wellbeing workshops for local residents of all ages and abilities.
Dumfries Climate Kitchen received £4,480 for Forest School – Dumfries. The project will provide a free Forest School programme during the October school holidays, giving children and families access to outdoor learning opportunities, nature-based activities and environmental education in an accessible local greenspace.
Crichton Royal Bowling Club received £2,450 for its Social Area project. Funding will help equip a new social and kitchen facility with essential fittings, creating a welcoming community space that supports social connection, reduces isolation and strengthens the club’s role as a local community hub.
Dumfries Table Tennis Club received £4,697 for DTTC: Connecting Communities, Creating Opportunities. Over six months, the project will use table tennis as a platform to bring people together, strengthen community connections and create opportunities for participation, volunteering and engagement across Dumfries.
Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (Dumfries) received £2,500 for a Residential Trip and Uniform project. Funding will support young volunteers to attend a national residential leadership and skills development event, while also providing essential uniform items to help participants safely represent Police Scotland during community volunteering activities.
North West Community Campus Primary Parent Council received £1,873 for its NWCC Inclusion Focused Equality Initiative. The project will help ensure all pupils can take part in educational visits during the 2026/27 academic year, removing financial barriers and supporting equal access to learning experiences outside the classroom.
Total funding awarded through the Dumfries Civic Fund: £25,000.
First published: 18 August 2026