WIREDGOV

A new £4 million fund set up to support Scots to celebrate their part in the Commonwealth before, during and after the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games opens recently (Tuesday April 30).

Celebrate is a joint scheme originated by the Scottish Lottery Distributor’s Forum (SLDF) offering funding for events and projects which celebrate Glasgow 2014 or that are inspired by Scottish links to the 71 nations and territories which make up the Commonwealth.

Speaking at the launch of this new fund at the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens in Glasgow Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport said:

“Creating exciting opportunities for communities across Scotland is what Celebrate is all about. We want people to have fun, be excited and to create a legacy that will be around long after the Games have taken place. Wherever you are in Scotland, I would encourage you to be part of it and join in the celebration.”

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland and Chair of the SLDF, added: “People will be arriving from all over the world for the Commonwealth Games. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to celebrate and share our heritage with them. With this new grant funding, everyone now has the opportunity to be part of something special as we showcase the history and culture of Scotland and its links to the Commonwealth nations.”

Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn said: “The eyes of the world will be on Scotland next year as Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games. With Celebrate we want to ensure that communities across Scotland are able to share the feel-good factor of the Games. This is the opportunity for everyone to get involved.

“Through Celebrate we can offer Lottery funding of up to £10,000 to arts, heritage, sports and community groups across the country to hold one off events. Whether you want to have Reggae Burns Night or a Come and Try Sports Open Day, as long it’s linked to the Commonwealth Games and people can get involved, then Celebrate is for you.”

Iain Munro, Acting CEO, Creative Scotland, said: “Celebrate is a fantastic opportunity for people and communities throughout Scotland to get together to create, take part in and enjoy unique artistic events. We look forward to seeing a fantastic range of projects inspired by the fascinating historical and contemporary links between this country and the Commonwealth and Glasgow’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games.”

Louise Martin CBE, chair of sportScotland, said: “With the launch of the Go Scotland! supporters campaign last week, and now this exciting new fund there are fantastic opportunities for communities across Scotland to really be part of the excitement around the Commonwealth Games.
 
“There is a real scope for clubs, schools and community groups to be creative about how they celebrate and we hope they will rise to the challenge, using the Games to encourage more people to try something new and hopefully embark on a life-long journey in sport.”

Celebrate has been developed by the SLDF which is made up of all four Scottish Lottery Distributors, Big Lottery Fund, Creative Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund and sportScotland. It is open to applications from today for celebrations of the people, places and culture of the Commonwealth and of the Games themselves.

For more press or media information contact
Emma Whitfield Communications Manager BIG Scotland 0141 242 1415 / 07880 737157 emma.whitfield@biglotteryfund.org.uk

For more information about Celebrate
Go to our website www.celebrateit.org.uk

Tell us how you are celebrating...
Facebook.com/celebrateitScotland
Twitter: @CelebrateitScot
#celebrateitscot

Notes to Editors

• Celebrate is a £4 million joint awards programme from the four Scottish Lottery distributors: Big Lottery Fund, Creative Scotland Heritage Lottery Fund and sportScotland.
• Celebrate will allow communities across Scotland to apply for up to £10,000 organise events that celebrate the 2014 Commonwealth Games through arts, heritage, sports, community and local celebrations or events that celebrate the people places and culture of the commonwealth.
• Celebrate was launched in April 2013 and the last grants will be awarded in December 2014.