Building Funding Capacity
Supporting grassroots ethnic minority‑led organisations in Scotland to access funding, strengthen capacity and build long‑term sustainability.
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
Ethnic Minority Development Fund
EMDF 2026 – Building Funding Capacity
1. About The Ethnic Minority Development Fund (EMDF)
The Ethnic Minority Development Fund (EMDF) supports grassroots ethnic minority‑led organisations in Scotland to access funding, strengthen capacity and build long‑term sustainability. The fund was established in 2023 with The National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF).
The fund was established to support ethnic minority-led groups that have not received or have found it difficult to secure funding from TNCLF.
In the 2026 round, the EMDF offers grants of £500–£15,000, with a total of £500,000 available.
The deadline for applications will be the 26 May 2026 at 5:00pm.
Previous Funding (2023–2025)
2. Who The Fund Is For
This fund is for ethnic minority‑led third sector organisations in Scotland. An organisation is EM‑led when 60% or more of the board and leadership are from ethnic minority backgrounds.
This fund is for ethnic minority led organisations that have had no or limited funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
To be eligible to apply, organisations must:
- Be ethnic minority led (60% or more of their committee and leadership are from ethnic minority backgrounds)
- Have an annual income under £100,000 per year
- Not currently have long-term funding from TNLCF (by this, we mean a grant longer than 2 years)
- Have not received long-term funding from TNLCF in the last 3 years
Therefore, groups that have only received Awards for All grants or currently hold an Awards for All grant can apply to the EMDF. However, since funding is limited, we may prioritise applications from organisations that have never received funding from TNCLF before.
3. Projects You Can Apply For
The EMDF offers funding for various projects that benefit ethnic minority people and communities in Scotland. If awarded, this funding is restricted and must be spent on the project that you applied for.
You should plan for your project to start on the 1st of September or later, as this is the earliest you can expect to receive the funding if successful.
In your application, you must explain how your project will meet at least one of the following outcomes:
- 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.
If you currently have funding from TNLCF, you cannot apply for funding for the same project for which you already received funding from TNLCF. However, you can apply for a different project.
For example, if you are currently receiving funding from TNLCF for a youth project, you cannot obtain funding from the EMDF for the same project. However, you could apply for a project involving older people.
4. What Types Of Organisations Can Apply
These types of organisation can apply:
- Constituted voluntary or community organisations
- Constituted groups or clubs
- Not‑for‑profit companies
- Registered charities (unincorporated)
- SCIOs
- CICs operating for at least six months
- Faith‑based organisations
- Individuals, sole traders
- Profit‑distributing companies
- Organisations outside Scotland
- Organisations with under two unrelated board members
- Organisations awaiting another EMDF decision
- Applications via consultants
- statutory or public bodies
- schools
- colleges or universities
5. What We Can And Cannot Fund
What We Can Fund:
- running costs for your organisation
- one-off events
- equipment
- staff and training costs
- transport and utilities
- volunteer expenses
- small land or refurbishment projects
What We Cannot Fund:
- costs you’ve already paid for
- alcohol
- contingency costs, loans, endowments or interest
- someone else to write your application for you
- activities that make a profit or raise money
- VAT you can reclaim
- religious activities (we can fund religious organisations if the project benefits the wider community and does not include religious content)
- statutory services or activities
- schoolwork support during school hours
- overseas travel
- projects that take place outside the UK
- activities that make a private profit
- giving cash directly to individuals
6. How To Apply
Applications are open from the 23rd March 9:00am – 26th May 2026 5:00pm.
Steps:
- Start with your community idea
- Check eligibility (get in touch if you have any questions about eligibility)
- Get support from CEMVO
- Download form (standard or easy‑read)
- Complete application
- Submit via email or post by the 26th May 2026 5:00pm
7. How your Application will be Assessed
The assessment process involves both CEMVO Scotland and The National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF). Each organisation has a clear, distinct role to ensure the fund is fair, accessible, and consistent for all applicants.
Below is a step-by-step guide to what happens after you submit your application.
CEMVO’s Role:
CEMVO Scotland is responsible for supporting organisations before and during the application phase and ensuring applications are complete before they are sent to TNLCF.
Once your application is received by CEMVO, they will check that:
- All sections of the application form are filled in
- A recent bank statement is included
- All required documents are attached
Only once the application is complete will CEMVO submit it to TNLCF for assessment.
TNLCF’s Role
Once your application is passed on to TNLCF. You will receive an automated email confirmation from TNLCF informing you that they have received your application.
A TNLCF Funding Officer will then be allocated to your application. They will:
- Check that your organisation meets the eligibility criteria
- Review your full application
- Contact you directly to arrange a time to speak about your application
- Ask questions to clarify your project
- Request additional information if needed
If you would like to talk about your application in a language other than English, TNCLF can offer translation support when they speak to you.
Once they speak with you and gather all the information they need, the funding officer will write an assessment report outlining how well your project meets EMDF’s priorities. This report will then go to the decision panel.
Decision Panel
The decision panel includes representatives from both TNLCF and CEMVO.
They will meet in mid-August 2026 to review every application and assessment report.
They will decide which applications are successful and which are unsuccessful. This will be based on budgets available and how well the applications meet the priorities of the fund.
Post-Panel Checks
After decisions are made, TNLCF will carry out standard verification checks, including:
- Identity checks for the main and senior contacts
- Address verification for main and senior contacts
- Bank account verification
This is a normal compliance process used for all TNLCF grants.
If TNLCF needs further information, they will contact you directly.
8. When will you hear back
All applicants will be contacted around the end of August 2026 with the outcome of their application.
Successful applicants will:
- Be notified by phone and email by TNCLF
- Be invited to an information session to explain the terms and conditions, monitoring requirements and payment schedule
- Receive guidance on how to manage the grant
- Be supported by both TNLCF and CEMVO throughout the delivery of the project
Unsuccessful applicants will receive:
- Verbal and written feedback from TNLCF explaining the decision
- Support from a CEMVO Capacity Building Officer to understand the feedback
- Help to strengthen future funding applications
This support ensures the learning is not lost and groups can improve for next time.
9. Support With Your Application
Our Funding Capacity Consultants are here to support you at every stage of your funding journey — helping you develop your idea, understand the application process, and build the confidence and skills needed to submit a strong and well‑structured application.
Support is available before, during, and after you apply.
Pre‑Application and Application Development Support
As an ethnic minority third sector organisation, you will receive support to:
Understanding and Designing Your Project
- Gain a clearer understanding of how funding works and what funders are looking for
- Learn how to involve your beneficiaries and wider community in shaping your project idea
- Strengthen the evidence of need for your project
- Develop realistic and meaningful project outcomes
- Build confidence in presenting your idea clearly
Completing Your Application
You can access tailored support to:
- Understand and meet general funding assessment criteria
- Learn about full cost recovery and apply it effectively to your budget
- Strengthen your budget and ensure it aligns with project activities
- Attend meetings with your TNLCF funding officer (CEMVO can support you at these)
- Receive application review and feedback from a Funding Capacity Consultant
- Please note: application-review support is time‑limited and may not be available near to the deadline.
Post‑Application Support
If your group is part of the programme, you can access support to:
- Understand how to make improvements if your application is unsuccessful
- Receive guidance on how to manage your grant and meet the fund’s monitoring and reporting requirements (for successful applicants)
- Work with a CEMVO Capacity Building Officer to understand TNLCF feedback and plan your next steps
Support is available throughout the entire process — before you apply, while you are developing your application, during assessment, and after you receive your decision.
10. Application Support Workshops
Funding Knowledge & Learning Network for Ethnic Minority Groups 2026
To help make your funding journey as smooth as possible, CEMVO will deliver three online application‑support workshops on the following dates:
Please register through the Eventbrite links provided on the webpage.
These workshops typically book up quickly — however, if you miss a session, a video recording will be uploaded to this page afterwards.
11. Download the EMDF Application Form
You can download the application form in two formats:
- Standard version – (Click to download)
- Easy‑Read version – (Click to download)
To apply, please fill the form and submit it to emdf@cemvoscotland.org.uk
Dundee Event 2026
Please see feedback from the groups that attended the EMDF Funding Peer Networking event in in Dundee in February 2026.
Very useful information about Funding.
Very useful information about Funding.
Great support and Information.
.
The food was delish!
The offer of CEMVO & support my work towards grant writing and thinking outside the box in accessing funds
Good to know that other groups have similar issues & the share of solutions, which has been insightful,
Really interesting and helpful.
Helpful networking opportunities.
Very reassuring that we have CEMVO to let us know what we need to do is thrive as EM group
.
Good to hear about the funding. More clear now than just reading website.
Helpful networking opportunities.
Glasgow Event 2026
Please see feedback from the groups that attended the EMDF Funding Peer Networking event in Glasgow in February 2026.
It’s been a great experience connecting with various organisations
Hat’s off CEMVO
Very useful to have funder there
Great to learn from others
Today was very good and informative and engaging
Good to see so many organisations together
Best platform to explore and share the knowledge. Thanks CEMVO.
The event was very informative. I enjoyed it. Thank you
I liked the layout and being in smaller groups
Great engagement with all the different organisations
Edinburgh Event 2026
Please see feedback from the groups that attended the EMDF Funding Peer Networking event in Edinburgh in February 2026.
Great Networking Learning
The number of attendees helped to engage meaningfully
Great to meet representatives of other orgs.
It gave me a lot of insights on thinking abt next steps
Great session
Group was more engaged, as the networking and conversations flowed!
Very friendly people
Falkirk Event 2026
Please see feedback from the groups that attended the EMDF Funding Peer Networking event in Falkirk in February 2026.
Very insightful and accessible session.
Fantastic venue and very welcoming CEMVO team.
Very useful and informative
Great way to meet now people and share knowledge and experience
As I’m still learning and new to all of it, the meeting was very useful and much
Very informative and good networking opportunity
Lovely to meet new faces and old
Thank you for a very informative session.
Very person centred atmosphere.
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