A Scottish broadband provider has launched a £50,000 fund to support charitable and community projects across three of its build regions.
GoFibre’s new initiative will help projects and groups who are working to close the digital divide in East Lothian, Fife, and the Scottish Borders.
It comes as the company celebrates its full fibre broadband network now being accessible to 50,000 premises across Scotland’s towns and villages.
With up to £3,000 available for each recipient, the fund will provide grants to those who meet the relevant criteria, including supporting the creation of work experience opportunities, developing skills and the local economy, promoting good health and wellbeing or actively tackling climate change and contributing to net zero targets in their local areas.
It was officially launched on Friday 28 July at the Border Union Show in Kelso.
Sam Calvert, chief revenue officer at GoFibre said: “As we continue to connect homes and businesses to our full fibre broadband network, it’s important for us to make meaningful connections with projects and organisations who work hard to transform local lives.
“We’ve spent the last year getting to know communities in East Lothian, Fife, and the Scottish Borders, and after seeing how many passionate local organisations are in need of additional support, we are keen to do our bit and provide these communities with funding to help them thrive.
“We’re incredibly proud to be launching the GoFurther Fund and look forward to seeing how it will make a difference to grassroots communities.”
Innovation minister Richard Lochhead said: “I welcome the extension of the full fibre broadband network to 50,000 homes and businesses across the country by a signatory to Scotland’s Full Fibre Charter.
“GoFibre is bringing high-quality digital connectivity to premises in rural communities; enabling people to work or study from home when they need to and stay connected to friends and family.”
In July, GoFibre gave 50,000 premises across Scotland and the North of England access to its full fibre broadband.
Once the next phase of expansion is complete in early 2024, the network will reach almost 120,000 premises.
Once connected to full fibre, residents and businesses have access to up to 10Gbps speeds.
The GoFurther Fund is now receiving applications and organisations will have until 22 September to submit them.
More information on the funding criteria and how to apply is available here.