Community Choices funding opens for 2026/27
Local charities and community groups can now apply for grants of up to £5,000 as the latest round of Falkirk Council's Community Choices programme opened on Thursday 1 October.
Applications will be open until Monday 9 November, with funding available for projects and activities benefiting communities across Falkirk's nine electoral wards.
Community Choices is the Council's participatory budgeting programme, which gives local residents a direct say in which projects receive funding through a public vote.
Community groups, registered charities and other eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply for up to £5,000.
Community impact
Projects supported through the previous round show how Community Choices funding is being used across the area.
Recent examples include:
- Forth Valley Sensory Centre received £3,262 to help create a more accessible outdoor space, including wheelchair-friendly pathways, accessible seating and sensory planting.
- Bo'ness Children's Fair Festival received almost £4,800 for new gazebos, seating and other equipment to support the annual festival and future community events.
- Bonnybridge Community Hub received more than £4,470 for new tables, chairs and storage equipment. The equipment is already being used by groups at the centre, including a weekly warm space serving between 60 and 100 people and free activities during the school holidays.
- Roots Foodbank and Community Events received £5,000 towards storage costs and insurance for its community minibus, helping the group continue running free community events and providing transport used by local groups and residents.
Arlene Graham, Chairperson of Roots Foodbank and Community Events, said:
Roots foodbank and Community Events heavily rely on funding to continue our work within the several communities we serve. To be awarded £5k from Community Choices was a great relief to our group as funding has become such a struggle for all community groups recently.
"This award ensured we were able to store our equipment for our fun days for another year in storage containers, most importantly our mascots and large dinosaur 'Rootasaurus' we bring to our events, school and nursing home visits, were not evicted from their home, a cost we would struggle to afford without funding.
Councillor Paul Garner, Depute Leader of Falkirk Council, said:
Community Choices gives local people a direct say in which projects receive funding in their area, while giving community groups the opportunity to take forward practical ideas that benefit local residents.
"The projects supported in the last round show the range of work happening across our communities. I would encourage any eligible group with an idea for its community to look at the guidance and apply before the deadline.
Find out more
An online information session will take place on Thursday 8 October from 12pm to 1.30pm through Participate+.
The Community Choices team can also provide advice to groups considering an application.
Applications close on Monday 9 November.
Full eligibility information, guidance and details of how to apply are available on the Community Choices webpage.
What happens next
Eligible projects will go forward to a public vote from Monday 18 January to Friday 12 February 2027.
Anyone aged 16 or over who lives in the Falkirk Council area can vote for projects in the ward where they live. Voting will be available online through Participate+ and by paper ballot in local libraries.
The successful projects will be announced on Thursday 18 March 2027, with funded projects able to begin from April.