Encouraging and Supporting Grassroots Activity Fund
The Encouraging and Supporting Grassroots Activity (ESGA) Fund was created to support smaller, grassroots organisations delivering community-led support for people affected by dementia.
The fund is designed to empower local groups to respond to the needs of people living with dementia and unpaid carers, helping them stay connected, supported, and well within their communities. To date, over £1 million has been awarded through ESGA to community-based organisations across Scotland, thanks to continued support from the Scottish Government.
Applications for our 2026 round of funding are now open!
We are now accepting applications for the next round of ESGA funding, with £310,000 available in grants to support activity across Scotland. This funding is provided by the Scottish Government through the National Dementia Resilient Communities Programme Board and contributes to the delivery of the National Dementia Strategy in Scotland.
Eligible groups can apply for grants between £5,000 and £20,000, with projects to run over a 12-month period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Applications close at 5:00pm on Friday 5 September 2025.
Who can Apply?
The ESGA fund is open to not-for-profit, community-based groups in Scotland that support people living with dementia or unpaid carers. We especially welcome applications from rural or remote communities, areas of multiple deprevation, organisations supporting ethnic minority or LQBTQ+ communities and groups with protected characteristics.
All applications will be reviewed by our lived experience panel.
If you have any questions, please email our team at dementiagrants@agescotland.org.uk
We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding, which will allow us to create a welcoming space for people with dementia to reconnect through the Gaelic language. As many older people revert to their mother tongue, Gaelic becomes an essential tool for communication, memory, and belonging. This support will enable us to run meaningful activities and social gatherings, strengthening both language and community ties.
Islay Gaelic Centre
Funded grassroots dementia projects thriving
Previously funded projects and the difference they have made to people living with dementia