Community Choices | Falkirk Council

Community Choices is the name of our participatory budgeting programme.

Through a public vote, participatory budgeting offers a democratic way for local residents to have a direct say in how public money can be used to address their priorities and invest in local, community led projects.

Two programmes were associated with participatory budgeting at Falkirk Council :

Small Grants Programme – for bids up to £5,000
Place-based Capital Grants Programme – for larger projects of £5,000 and above

The Small Grants programme will open for applications on Monday 28 October 2024 and applications should be submitted by the closing date of midnight on Monday 9 December 2024.

The Place-based Capital Grants programme is now closed.

Eligibility

Groups who can apply for a small grant include:

Constituted groups or clubs
Registered charities
Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIO's)
Not for profit companies
Community Interest companies (CIC's) with no private benefit.
Community Councils
Community Trusts

Private businesses and individuals are not eligible to apply. While faith-based organisations may apply, we cannot fund the practice of religion, or any activities that actively promote religion or belief systems. We cannot fund activities that are exclusive to only those who practice that religion.

We believe that communities know what's best for themselves – and what they need to improve the quality of life for residents where they live. Community Choices wants to capture that local ambition and aspiration. Community Choices encourages local people to become involved in delivering activities and social infrastructure that are important to them.

Key dates

Applications

Opening date: Monday 28 October 2024.
Closing date: midnight on Monday 09 December 2024.

Voting

Opening date: Monday 03 February 2025
Closing date: midnight on Friday 28 February 2025

Results

The full public vote results will be available on this website on Friday 28 March 2025

The full public vote results will also be available on Participate+.

Where to get help if you need it?

The Community Choices team can help with any questions about the process by emailing: community.choices@falkirk.gov.uk.
For help with your application form or lease inquiries, Community Learning and Development (CLD) at Falkirk Council. Contact Frank McChord: frank.mcchord@falkirk.gov.uk.
For independent advice on group constitution, bank accounts, assets etc, look at the CVS Falkirk and District website or email info@CVSFalkirk.org.uk.
For Planning Services and Planning related inquiries visit the Do I Need Planning Permission page or email dc@falkirk.gov.uk.

How does the programme work?

When the programme is open for applications, download and complete an application form.
Email the completed application form and accompanying documents to community.choices@falkirk.gov.uk.
Council officers and the Advisory Panel review all applications for eligibility.
You will be informed of the outcome of this and whether your project is eligible.
If eligible, your proposal will be put to the public vote.
If successful in the public vote, the Community Choices team will meet with you.
Following the meeting, a Grant award letter with T&C's will be issued, it should be signed and returned.
Groups should not spend any Community Choices allocation until the signed award letter has been received by the Community Choices team and you have been advised to proceed.