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Test It! project can help your group thrive
Local community groups and charities are being invited to take part in a project that could transform their organisation.
The ‘Test It!’ initiative launches in April this year and is targeting organisations that have a genuine interest in - and commitment to - generating an income for their project and need some help to get an idea off the ground.
North Ayrshire Council has teamed up with the Beith Trust and Rights Options – two successful third sector organisations – to design and deliver this fresh new project.
From April to November 2026, a cohort of eight ambitious local organisations will be supported through workshops, peer learning sessions and investment from the Test It! Starter Fund of either £5,000 or £10,000 to develop and test an idea that will help their organisation generate its own income.
Targeted workshops will help identify what's working well and areas for improvement, and with the support of Beith Trust, Right Options and the Council’s Community Development Team will put together an action plan to navigate the way forward.
A number of information and drop-in events are taking place this month to provide more details and for staff to answer questions about Test it!.
A drop-in session takes place this Wednesday (21 Jan) from 9.30am-12.30pm at Irvine Library, and the other dates and venues will be confirmed soon.
Quote: “This is a fantastic opportunity for small and medium sized North Ayrshire-based charities or constituted community groups that have real ambitions to grow. Sometimes it’s hard to take that next step, you may feel your organisation has hit its ceiling and don’t have the confidence to take the next move forward That’s where Test It! can step in and give you the support with new and fresh ideas that can take things to a new level.
Quote from: Councillor Alan Hil, Cabinet Member for Housing, Island and Communities
“We are delighted to be working alongside the Beith Trust and Rights Options. Both have a fantastic track record and know what it takes to turn ideas or a concept into reality.”
The programme is open to constituted community organisations and charities based and working in North Ayrshire with a turnover of between £30,000 and £300,000 per year. The team are particularly interested in ideas that are repeatable over a long period of time, making them more likely to generate a sustainable income long term.
For more details and to fill out an application form pleased check out https://northayrshire.communitychoices.scot/testithome or email testit@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Published: 20 January 2026