Pilot fund fully committed in five months

The pilot Cockburnspath and Cove Education and Training Fund is already proving successful in supporting local individuals with education, training, and apprenticeship costs.

The Cockburnspath & Cove Education & Training (E&T) Fund has committed its entire pilot budget in under five months, well ahead of its planned twelve-month timeline, in a strong early sign of demand for individual bursary support in the area.

15 awards made

£20,768 awarded

£1,385 average award

Launched in March 2026 as a one-year pilot, the Fund offered awards of up to £1,500 to help local individuals with the costs of education, training or apprenticeships — including course fees, study equipment, travel, accommodation, childcare and driving lessons. A £20,000 budget was set aside to test demand.

By the time the Fund closed to new applications in August 2026, 15 awards had been made totalling £20,768.

Driving lessons the standout theme

Almost half of all awards (7 of 15, around £10,500) included a contribution to driving lessons, either on their own or paired with course or qualification costs, making this the single most common type of request.

The remaining awards supported:
Higher & further education (5 of 15, £7,500) — accommodation and living costs for students on degree or HND courses such as Computer Arts, Education, Diagnostic Radiography, Law and Sound Production, studying away from the area.
Vocational course fees & kit (4 of 15, £4,268) — fees for qualifications including Counselling Skills, Pool Lifeguarding/NPLQ, PRINCE2 Project Management and SVQ3 Health & Social Care, plus one laptop.

Category	Awards	Value	Typical support
Driving lessons and tests	7 of 15	£10,000	Stand-alone driving lesson awards, and lessons paired with degree/qualifications costs - the single most common request.
Higher and further education	5 of 15	£7,500	Accommodation and living expenses for students on degree/HND courses studying away from the area.
Vocational course fees and kit	4 of 15	£4,268	Fees for professional and vocational qualifications, plus one laptop.

What's next?

The Panel will review the pilot in September 2026, considering grant sizes, eligibility criteria, and whether to continue, amend or withdraw the Fund. Further information will be available in mid-September.