JESSICA (Scotland) Trust
A new £15 million investment in Scotland to help disadvantaged urban communities most affected by serious disadvantage to become stronger through their own efforts
- Area
- Scotland
- Suitable for
- Voluntary or community organisation
- Application deadline
This programme is now closed
What's it all about?
This programme is now closed for applications.
The £15 million JESSICA (Scotland) Trust was established by BIG to build on the European Investment Bank’s Scotland JESSICA Fund (SJF). It invested in complementary projects that created opportunities for local people and community-led organisations to develop locally owned, led and controlled assets that will lead to local regeneration. By working in this way BIG ensured change and development were shaped by the communities concerned.
In a competitive process the Scottish Community Foundation was assessed by BIG to be the best of the seven proposals received from organisations and consortia interested in setting up the JESSICA (Scotland) Trust. The Trust invested in projects that delivered community assets, or assets under community control, where they met BIG’s outcomes agenda. The Trust was an independent body working to the stated objectives and governed by a Board of Trustees who took the key investment decisions and were responsible for the Trust Fund’s governance.
Funding was targeted at the geographic neighbourhoods of greatest disadvantage (13 designated areas) in Scotland. Successful projects needed to demonstrate that they could bring together agencies and communities to develop a common approach to activities and funding, and ensure local people have a genuine say in developing their communities.
BIG wanted to maximise the influence held by local communities over developments that will bring about regeneration. We want to provide certainty, longevity and a model that can invest and re-invest for the long-term benefit of communities.