Their new Community Investment Programme is aimed primarily at helping groups deliver their core services and to develop new initiatives.

Projects must be able to demonstrate they will be completed within 12 months or less and will help in one or more of the following fields: health and wellbeing; skills and training; job creation and employment support.

Examples of costs than can be applied for include, but are not limited to, equipment purchase, training, venue hire, sessional salaries and new activities or services.

Nicky Wilson, CRT chair in Scotland said: “We’re pleased to be calling for applications to our Community Investment Programme from charities and not-for-profit groups.

“These types of organisations carry out some of the most critical work and are the backbone of the mining communities.

“We’re really looking forward to receiving the applications and hope the initiative will be a success for many years to come.”

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Applicants can request a form by contacting david.wright@coalfields-regen.org.uk.

To be eligible to apply, organisations must be constituted as a charity or not-for-profit group delivering a service or activity in one or more of CRT’s eligible coalfield communities; have accounts (or a cash flow projection for newly formed groups), and a bank account.

A quote for items requested exceeding £500 must also be provided.

Although CRT can consider applications to part fund larger projects, the difference in funding must already be secured before the application is made.

A short phone call will be arranged to ensure that the project meets CRT’s eligibility requirements and matches their themes, and to determine the likely beneficial impact of your project.

The application form and paperwork can be submitted electronically. There is no deadline for applications and the programme will operate on a rolling basis.

The trust has so far invested over £20million in Scotland supporting over 700 community based and job creation schemes in the hardest hit areas.