COMMUNITY groups in Peeblesshire have less than a month to grab a slice of funding.

The Womens's Fund for Scotland (WFS) want to encourage community groups based in the Scottish Borders to apply for funding from their small grants programme.

Acting as a lifeline for community groups, the small grant could help fund development training for staff, aid venue costs, pay for advertising and equipment.

Shona Blakeley, Development Manager for WFS, said: "We know that a small amount of money can go a long way in a charitable organisation. Local groups meeting the WFS, can apply to the small grants programme, which distributes grants between £500 to £2,000. We have previously funded the Scottish Borders Rape Crisis Centre who used their small grant to set up a weekly Women's Group that focused on building confidence and self-esteem. The grant covered both the volunteers and participants travel expenses, room hire and materials."

Launched in 2002, the Women's Fund supports charitable projects run by and for women living in Scotland. It helps women tackle a variety of challenges, from unemployment, lack of skills, low confidence levels to helping them move on from violence.

The Women's Fund is part of Foundation Scotland. It benefits from the Foundation's robust guidance, infrastructure and grant making knowledge to ensure grass roots community organisations get the funding to make a lasting impact.

For women's community groups wishing to apply, they must meet one of the four investment criteria; Building skills and confidence, building social networks, improving health and well-being and moving on from violence.

The deadline is on the horizon, so action needs to be taken before Wednesday, September 28.

To apply, visit www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/womens-fund-for-scotland/.