The Glenkens Community Fund has awarded a total of £109,433 to eight local organisations following its Spring 2026 decision-making meeting in May. All eight applicants received funding, supporting a diverse range of community projects across the Glenkens area.
Children, young people, and families remained a key priority for the Fund, recognising the significant role this support plays in the long-term sustainability of the community.
Moniaive Playcare received £12,000, helping secure the future of a service that plays an important role in village life for local families. Moniaive Primary Parent Council was awarded £6,270 to fund forest school sessions and transport to enrichment activities for 36 pupils, benefiting their health and wellbeing.
DG Voice received £20,000 to support a 16-hour weekly Outreach & Engagement Officer role for 12 months. The post will deliver inclusive activities, workshops, and support across the Glenkens and District area, helping to reduce isolation and strengthen community connections.
The Fund also continued its commitment to nature and environmental education, supporting three organisations that had each secured significant matched funding from external sources. The awards enabled these projects to proceed and bring new investment into the Glenkens. Lochhill Agroecological Farm CIC was awarded £25,000 to fund a Community Learning Coordinator and a Marketing and Membership Coordinator for one year, delivering an educational programme for community benefit.
Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands received £17,500 to improve access and visitor facilities at Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland near Corsock, including path and bridge improvements, a new car park and community events. And Glenkens Community & Arts Trust received £3,000 as match funding towards a Development Officer who will create a Nature Restoration Strategy for the Glenkens.
Alongside these awards, the Moniaive Horse Show received £663 to hire a PA and help support the smooth running of this longstanding local event.
The Fund also supported plans for a Scottish Dark Sky Observatory at the former Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre, awarding £25,000 towards the costs of improving café facilities — a requirement that emerged from local engagement work on the project.
Fiona Smith, Chair of the Glenkens & District Trust said,
“Once again we received a wide range of applications which aligned with our goal to support our communities to be connected, resilient and carbon neutral places where people will want to live, work and visit, to bring up families and grow old.”
Delivery of the Glenkens & District Community Fund is supported by the Glenkens & District Trust in partnership with independent grantmaker Foundation Scotland, with funds provided by Blackcraig Wind Farm (Scotland) Ltd from its Blackcraig wind farm, and Greencoat UK Wind from its Windy Rig wind farm, both in Dumfries & Galloway.
Eligible applications for the Trust’s next funding round are welcome and the deadline for this round is Wednesday 16 September. Groups can find out more: https://www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/
FULL AWARDS LISTING : Spring 2026 Awards Summary
| Organisation | Purpose | Amount Awarded |
| DG Voice | To contribute to the cost of delivering a 16-hour weekly Outreach & Engagement Officer for 12 months to provide inclusive activities, workshops, and support in the Glenkens area, reducing isolation, and strengthening community connections. | £20,000.00 |
| Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands | To contribute to the costs of establishing a car park, path, and bridge improvements, and providing community events to enhance visitor experience and strengthen community relationships at Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland near Corsock. | £17,500.00 |
| Glenkens Community & Arts Trust | To contribute (10% match funding) to the salary of a Development Officer for an initial year contract to create a coherent, activity-oriented, partnership-based Nature Restoration Strategy for the Glenkens. | £3,000.00 |
| Lochhill Agroecological Farm CIC | To contribute towards the costs of a Community Learning Coordinator and a Marketing and Membership Coordinator for 1 year to develop and deliver an educational programme for the benefit of the community. | £25,000.00 |
| Moniaive Horse Show | To meet the cost of printing schedules and to hire a PA system for the Moniaive Horse Show 2026, thus improving communication and aiding the smooth running of the event. | £663.00 |
| Moniaive Playcare | To support the running costs of Moniaive Playcare to ensure its future as a vital part of village life for families. | £12,000.00 |
| Moniaive Primary Parent Council | To meet the cost of providing forest school sessions and transport to enrichment activities for 36 pupils at Moniaive Primary, thus improving their health and wellbeing. | £6,270.00 |
| The Dark Sky Observatory | To contribute toward the costs of relocating and re-equipping a kitchen facility within the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory (former Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre). | £25,000.00 |
| Total Awards | £109,433.00 | |
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