Dundee City Council has been allocated £20 million in Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP) funding from the UK Government. The programme has been designed to tackle inequalities and barriers to growth, supporting regeneration, attracting investment and increasing opportunities for local people.
During 2024/25 the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) worked with Dundee City Council and key city stakeholders to identify projects to be delivered in Dundee. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the City Council and MHCLG outlining the expected delivery approach for the CRP.
The City Council will be the lead authority tasked with managing the programme which includes standalone capital projects delivered by the Council or third parties, challenge funds where organisations and firms are invited to bid, and also revenue investment.
Projects are grouped under one of three themes: Accelerating Dundee’s Business Ambitions, Enhancing the City Centre and Bridging the Divide.
For all enquiries, please contact externalfunding@dundeecity.gov.uk
- Commercial Buildings Enhancement Grant
The Commercial Buildings Enhancement Grant is a funding programme with two distinct parts. The first scheme will support external improvements to units which are currently occupied, and the second scheme will support internal and/or external improvements to units which are unoccupied or subject to a newly signed lease with tenants looking to move in.
This scheme is for premises located in the city centre only.
Grants for exterior improvement and enhancements are between £10,000 and £50,000.
Grants for interior improvements or enhancements are between £20,000 and £150,000. All projects will be required to provide match funding of at least 25%.
Larger (or smaller) applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis based on evidence of need and impact. Please contact the team via the Expression of Interest form and a member of the project delivery team will review your information.
Eligible applicants
- Businesses (including sole traders, community enterprises and charities) that take on new leases of previously vacant commercial premises in Dundee city centre. The term of a lease and proposed works may impact on the level of grant that you will be awarded.
- Landlords, property owners, or their representatives, of vacant city centre premises. If an application is made on behalf of the owner, evidence must be provided showing that the organisation is authorised to act on the owner's behalf and can enter into a legal agreement with Dundee City Council regarding the grant. It is also expected that property owners have a new tenant lined up for the premises or are in the process of securing one.
- Operational commercial units/existing tenants may apply for visual shop front enhancements, including signage, windows, vinyls, or similar displays. Properties do not have to have traditional shop frontages to be considered for this scheme.
Application process: Applicants must first fill out an Expression of Interest form. If the project is eligible for support, then the applicant will be provided with a full application form. Projects will be assessed and applicants informed within 6-8 weeks of submission (this may be extended if there are a significant number of applicants to be assessed at any given time). The programme will close once all funding has been allocated.
Timescales: The fund opened for applications on 22 April 2025 and applications are assessed on an ongoing basis. The scheme will close when all funding has been allocated.
Further information
- Community Facilities Fund
Dundee Community Facilities Fund - Now Open
Dundee City Council is inviting applications to two funding streams designed to help community organisations develop high‑quality facilities that support children and young people across the following wards: East End, Coldside, Lochee, Strathmartine, Maryfield and North East. Both funds form part of Dundee’s Community Regeneration Partnership, supported by the UK Government.
Project Development Fund - Revenue (up to £25,000)
This fund helps community groups, charities and third‑sector organisations progress plans for new or improved facilities that will support social, recreational or physical activities for children and young people.
- Supports early‑stage project development such as feasibility work, design, surveys and community engagement
- Must relate to future capital improvements to buildings or outdoor spaces
- Focus on facilities for children and young people
- Priority for projects in Dundee’s most deprived communities
- 5% match funding required
- Deadline: 5pm on Monday 13 April 2026, decisions by 29 May 2026, project to be delivered by March 2027
This fund helps community groups, charities and third‑sector organisations progress plans for new or improved facilities that will support social, recreational or physical activities for children and young people.
- Supports early‑stage project development such as feasibility work, design, surveys and community engagement
- Must relate to future capital improvements to buildings or outdoor spaces
Key documents:
Community Facilities Fund – Capital (up to £25,000)
This fund supports capital works that will create, refurbish or expand facilities offering accessible, positive activities for young people. Projects should help reduce barriers to participation and provide safe, engaging spaces that meet young people’s needs. Applications must focus on capital improvements to buildings and/or outdoor spaces.
- Minimum match funding: 10% (community groups) and 25% (public sector)
- Projects must show strong community need, youth engagement and long‑term sustainability
- Applications must demonstrate strong organisational capacity to deliver a capital project
- Deadline: 5pm on 13 April 2026, decisions by 29 May 2026, project to be delivered by March 2027
Key documents:
Eligible applicants: Community groups, third sector organisations, charities, local authorities and other public bodies.
Timescales: The deadline for both funds is 5pm on 13 April 2026
How to Apply
Email externalfunding@dundeecity.gov.uk with your organisation’s name, how much you plan to apply for, and what the funding will support.
Complete the relevant application form and submit to externalfunding@dundeecity.gov.uk before the deadline of 5pm on Monday 13 April.
For a list of successful projects from the previous round, please see here.
- Historic Buildings Renewal Fund
The Historic Buildings Renewal Fund aims to assist developers/property owners in overcoming financial challenges and unlocking barriers to regeneration projects that will see historic buildings in the city centre brought back into productive use. The fund focuses particularly on projects involving upper floor redevelopment, active ground floor uses and listed buildings or those of historic merit within conservation areas.
Timescales: The UK Government has allocated funding for spend in 2025/26, with contracts required to be let by the end of March 2026. Projects should factor in the time needed to secure planning permission and building warrants when considering proposals/approaches.
Eligible applicants: Building owners, property developers, commercial enterprises/businesses.
Application process: Applicants must first fill out an Expression of Interest form. If the project is eligible for support, then the applicant will be provided with a full application form.
Further information