voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
-
To Absent Friends 2026 Small Grants Scheme
Created: 02/07/2026
News/Events Category: Funding and Finance
The To Absent Friends 2026 Small Grants Scheme has now opened.
To Absent Friends is a people's festival of storytelling and remembrance that takes place across Scotland 1-7 November each year. The festival was started by Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief. To Absent Friends offers an opportunity for communities to get together to remember people who have died, whether recently or long ago. This strengthens community connections and reduces the isolation that often comes with bereavement. The Festival exists to encourage participation. Groups, communities, and organisations are welcome to plan events, and these become the To Absent Friends event programme.
The small grants scheme offers grants of up to £275 to support organisations to participate in the festival.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 02 September 2026.Find out more and apply here: To Absent Friends | Small Grants
The festival is non-prescriptive. This means that groups are invited to use the festival week in whatever way is most meaningful to them. Past events have included coffee mornings, poetry readings, guided walks, creative workshops, gardening activities, online sessions, events for families, remembrance dinners and more. Even a simple To Absent Friends Wall, memory tree, or corner for reflection can make a big difference for people. Events and activities can be big or small, in-person or online.
To help organisers, we have put together guides and templates to provide inspiration and information for people considering holding To Absent Friends events, whether or not they are applying for a small grant: To Absent Friends | Get Involved
If you’re interested in holding a To Absent Friends event but you’d like to chat to us and others about it first, we’ll be hosting an informal lunchtime chat session on Zoom on 19th August at noon. This will be an opportunity to find out more about the festival and how to get involved. It is a chance to meet people who have been involved in the festival before, bounce ideas off each other and learn more about the small grants scheme. You can book your free place by emailing [email protected].
What now?
See other news/events in the Funding and Finance category
Go to the main News page
Tell us about your own news
News/Events Categories:
Carer Support (8 items)Children and Families (65 items)
Climate/Environment (8 items)
Community Events (9 items)
Consultations (1 item)
Employability (28 items)
Funding and Finance (34 items)
FVA News (4 items)
General News (14 items)
Goods, Donations and Services (3 items)
Governance (39 items)
Health and Social Care (82 items)
Job Vacancies (13 items)
Partnerships, Networks and Forums (27 items)
Social Enterprise (2 items)
Technology (5 items)
Training and Learning (86 items)
Volunteering (72 items)
Go to the main News page
