Building Funding Capacity
A 4-year programme funded by The National Lottery Community Fund (The Fund) | 2023–2026
The Building Funding Capacity (BFC) programme supports ethnic minority third sector organisations to:
• Apply for grant funding through the Ethnic Minority Development Fund (EMDF)
• Receive tailored capacity-building support around funding
• Build connections, share knowledge, and strengthen their voice through the Knowledge & Learning Network
• Engage and learn from each other through Peer Networking Events
Our
Impact
£1M+
Nearly 450 applications received from across Scotland
The Ethnic Minority Development Fund (EMDF)
About the Fund
The Ethnic Minority Development Fund (EMDF) offers grants from £500 to £15,000 to support community-led projects developed by ethnic minority-led third sector organisations in Scotland.
Projects must do at least one of the following:
• Bring ethnic minority people together and build strong relationships across communities
• Help more ethnic minority people to thrive by supporting them early
• Improve places and spaces that matter to ethnic minority communities
Projects must also involve the community in the design and delivery of activities
Note: Applications for 2025 are now closed. Please check back for information about EMDF 2026.
Key Dates
Launch date: TBC
Application deadline: TBC
How to Apply
Follow these simple steps to apply for the EMDF:
1. Check your eligibility using the list below and the Pre-Application Checklist
2. Download the correct application form from Section 6 (standard or accessible version)
3. Complete the form and save it to your computer
4. Submit your application by email or post:
Email: emdf@cemvoscotland.org.uk
Post: CEMVO Scotland (EMDF), 95–107 Lancefield Street, Glasgow, G3 8HZ
Eligibility
Who can apply:
• Unregistered voluntary or community organisation (constituted)
• Constituted group or club
• Not-for-profit company
• Registered charity (unincorporated)
• Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO)
• Community Interest Company (CIC) — must have been operating for at least 6 months
• Faith-based group (e.g., mosque, gurdwara, temple, church, synagogue)
Who cannot apply:
• Individuals
• Sole traders
• Companies that pay profits to directors/shareholders
• Organisations based outside Scotland
• Organisations that have already applied and are awaiting a decision
• Organisations with fewer than two unrelated people on their board
• Applications made on behalf of another organisation
• Applications submitted by businesses/consultants claiming to represent the Fund
Basic eligibility criteria:
• Must be ethnic minority-led (60% of board and leadership from ethnic minority backgrounds)
• Annual income of £100,000 or less
• A Community Interest Company (C. I. C.) has to be operating for at least six months
Support with Your Application
Our Funding Capacity Consultants are here to support you in applying to the EMDF — helping you develop your idea, understand the application process, and build the confidence and skills to shape a strong, well-structured application. This includes:
Pre-Application & Application Support
• Clarifying funder expectations and fund criteria
• Developing project ideas with community input
• Evidencing need and articulating project outcomes
Post-Application Support
• Support following unsuccessful applications
• Advice for future improvement and learning
The Knowledge and Learning Network
A key aspect of the BFC programme involves developing knowledge, learning and building capacity.
This network meets on a quarterly basis allowing ethnic minority third sector organisations to:
• Engage with The Fund and improve their knowledge and understanding of the ethnic minority 3rd Sector
• Share their experiences of funding, the good and the bad
• Have a better awareness of The Fund and the wider funding landscape
• Access a bank of resources to develop capacity around funding
• Network with other ethnic minority voluntary organisations, develop new connections and share learning.
Our Funding Capacity Consultants will be available to develop your capacity around funding.
• Pre-Application Support
• Application Support
• Post Application Support
Pre-application support
As an EM third sector organisations you will:
• Have a better understanding of funding and learn what funders are looking for from applicants
• Learn how to involve your beneficiaries in your project idea
• Acquire the skills to evidence the need for your project
• Be able to better understand and articulate project outcomes
Application support
Application support involves:
• Support to understand and meet general funding assessment criteria.
• Understanding full cost recovery and how to apply it to your budget.
• Support at meetings with your funding officer at The Fund.
Post-application support
Organisations on the programme can access support to:
• Learn how to improve upon an unsuccessful application to The Fund
• Understand how to manage your grant and meet The Fund’s requirements
Funding Peer Networking Events
Dundee Event 2025
Future dates in Dundee to follow. Please see feedback from the groups that attended the EMDF Funding Peer Networking event in June 2025.
Fantastic opportunity to network
It’s been amazing meeting staff from CEMVO
I would like more sessions like this
Please have more events like this.
Brilliant event
Glasgow Event 2025
I liked the informal set up. I liked the idea of the points to discuss on the Agenda
Thank you to Cemvo (Surbjit) today was very helpful and to actually meet other organisations and especially the funders finding time to come out to meet the organisations. Thank you once again.
Fantastic event. Simple but effective!! Open space for networking often overlooked but so valuable. Thanks!
Great engagement with all the different organisations
Edinburgh Event 2025
Wonderful chance to have a bespoke time and opportunity to listen and to be listened to.
Small meetings feel like family where you are encouraged to ask questions
Great to have a small gathering with the chance to ask tailored questions.
The discussion was very informative
Today was very helpful and informative. The Networking and meeting different organisations and projects.
Good event to connect with local orgs in another capacity, hear about their stories and provide early guidance.
Resources
Pre Application Checklist
Not sure where to start?
We’re here to help
Get in touch to discuss your eligibility, your project idea or anything else you’d like to check before you apply.
Contact us for tailored support:
Funding Capacity Consultant: padamsingh@cemvoscotland.org.uk
Funding Capacity Consultant kaja.czuchnicka@cemvoscotland.org.uk
EMDF Engagement Officer surbjitdhillon@cemvoscotland.org.uk