Community groups in Edinburgh are being asked to bid for funding to enhance the New Waverley development in the Old Town while it is under construction.

The New Waverley Community Fund (NWCF) is a joint project between the City of Edinburgh Council and Artisan Real Estate Investors, the developers of New Waverley. The total fund available is £200,000 including £100,000 held by the Council from a previous developer.

Bids up to £25,000 from not-for-profit organisations will be accepted and the New Waverley Working Group is keen to work with groups who can engage the local community with their projects. The fund is open now and closes at 5pm on Friday, 7 of August 2015.

To apply for funding groups should complete an application form and email it to the Council.

Cllr Frank Ross, Convener of the Economy Committee, said “New Waverley will create jobs, apprenticeships, boost the economy and enhance a sense of community in a neglected gap site breathing new life into the area. I would encourage community groups to be creative with their projects and bid for the funding, which will really help those in the local area as well as visitors through the construction phase.”

Clive Wilding, Project Director for Artisan Real Estate Investors, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real, positive and long-lasting difference to the Old Town community as part of New Waverley’s overall transformation of the area.  There are some really interesting community initiatives which could benefit from this funding and we are looking forward, to being part of the working group that will progressing this, working closely with local people and relevant organisations.”