This fund focuses on building resilience and sustainability in community-based support for people living with dementia and unpaid carers, helping people with lived experience to be more connected to and supported by their communities, and improving their overall health and wellbeing. It supports the delivery of the National Dementia Strategy for Scotland through activities that enable people with lived experience to take part in ordinary activities and stay connected, strengthen inclusivity and participation, create intergenerational connections, and offer peer support or respite for unpaid carers and family members.

Organisations can apply for grants between £5,000 and £20,000 for projects running between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027. Both individual and collaborative bids are welcome, with priority given to smaller localised groups and those working with rural or remote communities, ethnic minority groups, areas of multiple deprivation, or people with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Eligible costs may include staffing, volunteer expenses, venue and transport costs, catering, activities, and certain capital expenses linked to community benefit and long-term sustainability.

Applications will be assessed on demonstrated community need, involvement of people with lived experience in project design and delivery, the benefits within the 12-month period, and contribution to longer-term sustainability. Decisions will be made with meaningful input from a lived experience panel and overseen by the Scottish Government’s Resilient Communities Programme Board.

The deadline for applications is 5:00pm on Friday 5 September 2025, and applicants are encouraged to attend upcoming online information sessions to learn more and ask questions.

For more information, visit Age Scotland.