A new fund, known as the ‘Creative Community Chest’ has launched which will support micro projects in Pennywell, Edinburgh and is established in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts and the OneCity Trust.

The initiative which has been established as part of the Pennywell Living development has been created by regeneration experts Urban Union with the City of Edinburgh Council. Scottish charities and community groups located in the North Edinburgh Arts membership area are being asked to apply for one of 10 grants of £300, that can be used to deliver creative and engaging content for the local community.

The governance, monitoring and oversight of grant distribution will be undertaken by the office of the OneCity Trust.  The mission of the OneCity Trust is to fight inequality and exclusion in the City of Edinburgh.

Neil McKay, Managing Director, Urban Union, said: “At Urban Union we specialise in delivering new homes equipped for modern community living, but investing in these communities is just as important.

“We know that by working with residents, charities, and local groups we can help to create welcoming places to live and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Kate Wimpress, Director, North Edinburgh Arts, said: “North Edinburgh Arts has worked with Urban Union for almost a decade, delivering creativity in the community and enhancing the local area. With support from the OneCity Trust, these fantastic individual projects allow us to build community engagement, we look forward to seeing these creative ideas come to fruition.”

Urban Union has developed 134 new homes and apartments as part of Phase 3 works at Pennywell Living and has been working in conjunction with the City of Edinburgh Council since 2014 to regenerate Pennywell, creating a vibrant residential area.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Our regeneration of North Edinburgh is a major project for the people of Pennywell and Muirhouse and a great success story. It’s all about working together to improve lives, tackle poverty and inequality in the area and create beautiful new homes and community spaces residents can be proud of.

“It is great news, then, that our contractors are making this pot of money available through the OneCity Trust to local projects and charities which also promote social inclusion. The whole project provides a perfect example of community empowerment, showing how great value can be added to an area when involving those who know it best.”

The application form to apply for a £300 grant is available to download here.

Please complete the application form and send to elaine@onecitytrust.com along with the associated documentation noted on page 2 of the application form. If you have any questions, please contact Elaine McCafferty – OneCity Trust at elaine.mccafferty@onecitytrust.com or telephone (0131) 469 3856