Summer of Sport Funding Criteria

Summer of Sport 2026 Fund
Sports Club & Community Organisation Funding Criteria

---

Background

Fife Council, in partnership with SportScotland, has secured £840,000 to deliver the Summer of Sport 2026 Campaign. The programme aims to harness the excitement generated by a landmark summer of sport, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, to create sustainable opportunities for increased participation in sport and physical activity across Fife.

Some of this funding will be distributed across Fife's seven Areas to support sports clubs and community organisations:

• North East Fife
• Levenmouth
• Glenrothes
• Kirkcaldy
• Cowdenbeath
• City of Dunfermline
• South & West Fife

The fund is expected to support up to 40 clubs, groups and organisations across Fife, with grants available between:

• £2,500 (minimum award)
• £5,000 (maximum award)

Projects must be delivered between the fund launch and 31 March 2027.

---

Who can apply?

Applications will be welcomed from Fife organisations, including sports clubs, community sport hubs, registered charities and trusts, community organisations and voluntary groups.

Fund Objectives

Applications must demonstrate how their project will contribute to one or more of the following objectives:

1. Increase Participation
   Provide opportunities for children and young people to engage in regular sport and physical activity.
2. Inspire Future Participation
   Use the excitement surrounding major sporting events to encourage lifelong involvement in sport, physical activity and active recreation.
3. Remove Barriers
   Reduce financial, social, geographical and physical barriers that prevent participation.
4. Deliver Local Opportunities
   Create accessible "doorstep" sporting opportunities within local communities, reducing the need for travel.
5. Create Sustainable Impact
   Develop programmes that have the potential to continue beyond Summer 2026 through club pathways, volunteer development or community partnerships.

Eligible Applicants

Applications will be accepted from:

• Constituted sports clubs
• Community sport hubs
• Registered charities and trusts
• Community organisations
• Voluntary groups
• Local partnership projects led by eligible organisations

Applicants must:

• Operate within Fife.
• Have appropriate governance arrangements in place.
• Hold appropriate safeguarding, equality and insurance policies.
• Have a bank account in the organisation's name.

Preferred Organisations

Priority will be given to organisations that:

• Hold ClubFife Accreditation, or
• Hold equivalent National Governing Body accreditation, or
• Can demonstrate active progress towards achieving accreditation.

Target Participants

Projects must primarily benefit young people:

Core Age Range

• 3-26 years

Applications should clearly identify how they will engage one or more priority groups:

Priority Groups

• Children and families experiencing financial hardship.
• Young people affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
• Participants with disabilities.
• Young people with additional support needs.
• Under-represented groups in sport.
• Young people living in rural or geographically isolated communities.
• Groups with historically low participation levels.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support:

• Coaching programmes
• Multi-sport activities
• Holiday sports programmes
• Community sports festivals
• Come-and-try sessions
• Introductory participation programmes
• Outdoor recreation initiatives
• Inclusive sports activities
• Volunteer development directly linked to programme delivery
• Equipment necessary for activity delivery
• Facility hire associated with funded activities

All activities must:

• Focus on sport, physical activity or active recreation.
• Be delivered by 31^st March 2027.
• Demonstrate clear community benefit.
• Show how participants will be encouraged into sustained participation opportunities.

Funding Priorities

Applications will be assessed favourably where they:

Accessibility

• Deliver free or low-cost activities.
• Reduce financial barriers to participation.
• Provide equipment where required.

Inclusion

• Target underserved populations.
• Demonstrate inclusive practices.
• Provide appropriate support for participants with disabilities or additional support needs.

Community Reach

• Deliver activities within local neighbourhoods.
• Maximise participation numbers.
• Reach new participants rather than existing members only.

Partnership Working

• Involve collaboration with:
  • Active Schools
  • Community Sport Hubs
  • Fife Sports & Leisure Trust
  • Community organisations
  • Youth organisations

Legacy

• Show how participants will transition into ongoing club or community opportunities after the funded project ends.

Ineligible Expenditure

The following costs will not be funded:

• Retrospective funding for activities already delivered.
• Activities unrelated to sport, physical activity or active recreation.
• Projects primarily focused on elite athlete development.
• Athletes already receiving National Lottery Talent Pathway funding.
• General organisational deficits or debt repayment.
• Alcohol, hospitality or entertainment costs.
• Political or religious activities.
• Capital building works.

Coaching & Workforce Requirements

All coaches, instructors and volunteers must:

• Hold appropriate qualifications for the activity being delivered.
• Meet safeguarding and PVG requirements where applicable.
• Operate in accordance with relevant National Governing Body standards.

Organisations requiring workforce upskilling should note that:

Coaches and sports officials seeking qualification upgrades may apply separately through the Fife Council Coach & Sports Officials Training Grant, which can provide matched funding of up to 50% of course costs (maximum £200).

---

Conditions of the Award

All recipients of an award will need to take part in a formal evaluation with Research Scotland, with support from your designated link officer from Fife Council.

---

If you have any questions please contact sportsdevelopment.enquiries@fife.gov.uk