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The Royal Countryside Fund provides grants for projects from across the UK which are working to create resilient rural communities. This fund will support community-led projects that are pursuing innovative and strategic solutions to the challenges facing their rural area and improving the long-term viability and resilience of their community. Successful applicants will deliver projects along the themes of:- Keeping young people in the countryside- Powering up rural communities- Increasing environmental sustainability- Building emergency resilience in rural areasSuccessful projects will demonstrate how they are addressing one of more of the following objectives:- Working towards a long-term vision- Facilitating connectedness and collaboration - Demonstrating innovationThe fund has paused the current grant programme and won’t be accepting applications in the coming months. They are planning to launch a new, reshaped grant programme in the autumn.The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF) provides grants for projects across the UK which are working to create resilient rural communities. The fund supports community-led projects that are pursuing innovative and strategic solutions to the challenges facing their rural area and improving the long-term viability and resilience of their community. To stay informed, sign up to the RCF newsletter on their [website](https://www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/rural-champion-award/) or follow on social media: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/countrysidefund/); Instagram; [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/theroyalcountrysidefund/).

Community-focused or charitable activities which:- Sustains and develops the local community- Represents value for money – evidence that the project has a high impact for the amount of grant- Shows community involvement – evidence that the community is engaged in the development and implementation of the project - Is financially viable – evidence that the project will be maintained beyond the period of grant funding (if applicable)Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered, for example equipment costs, consultations, maintenance, or refurbishment of community facilities etc.All 18 community councils are allocated funds from the Viking Community Fund on a share basis. The areas hosting the wind turbines are allocated 5 shares and all others are allocated a single share:The five-share areas are Delting, Nesting and Lunnasting, Sandsting and Aithsting and Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale. Single share areas are Bressay, Burra and Trondra, Dunrossness, Fetlar, Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh, Lerwick, Northmaven, Sandness and Walls, Sandwick, Scalloway, Skerries, Unst, Whalsay and Yell.Applicants applying to a specific community council area should complete a Tier 1 or Tier 2 application.For applicants whose projects cover more than three community council areas, complete a Tier 3 application.

The priorities for the Dumfries and Galloway CLLD grant funding for 2026-27 are:- Supporting community facilities and eligible organisations to contribute to the achievement of net zero.- Sustaining, improving and adding initiatives in rural communities that are most isolated, most disconnected, most in need of investment or most likely to experience inequalities.- Helping communities to address the cost-of-living crisis and eradicate poverty for individuals and families.- Enabling communities to carry out research, community needs assessments and feasibility studies as part of local place plan development.Organisations can make one application per project and there is no limit to the number of applications they can make. Applications can be made for 100% of the eligible project costs.Projects must take place between August 2026 and March 2027.

The Shetland CLLD Programme is a grant fund provided by the Scottish Government. The delivery of Shetland CLLD is overseen by the Shetland Islands Local Action Group (LAG) – a group of representatives from organisations with economic, social, environmental and community interests in Shetland. The CLLD grant fund is administered by Shetland Islands Council on behalf of the LAG. The principal focus for activity is to support sustainable projects which can be reflected within the programme’s four priority areas:- Helping families and services through the cost-of-living crises, including helping to address the drivers of child poverty- Increasing community capacity to address rural challenges- Transforming the economy to deliver net zero- Creating sustainable local servicesProjects that support one or more of the programme priorities will be considered for funding.

Community Benefit Gateway (CBG) is a free and easy to use online service that connects NHS Scotland suppliers with third sector community organisations within Scotland. You can list your need on the Gateway if your work is focused on improving the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of your local area.It supports community initiatives such as:- Work placement opportunities- Volunteering projects- The provision of professional advice- Assistance with building community facilities- Environmental proposals- Improving and promoting biodiversity- Lifelong learning projects (this list is not exhaustive)The Gateway is not a funding platform, although there may be offers of funding listed.

Grants will support any aspect of sustainable development within communities in the Marr area. If they are related to larger schemes the grant can be used for project start-up costs or to help groups develop a project idea. The grant scheme also provides support, advice and help with the development of project aims and/or management. They have funded a wide range of projects including: transport initiatives, information directories, local communications networks, environmental improvement schemes, cultural and historical projects, and projects related to tourism.

SSE operates a wind farm at Spurness on the Orkney Isles. The SSE Spurness Community Investment Fund contributes to the communities located around the wind farm. The community fund can support projects which:- develop skills and abilities to implement projects that are important to the island’s future- support the acquisition, development and use of community assets- increase the involvement with local organisations and community activity- overcome the barriers that can prevent disadvantaged or excluded members of the community from enjoying a high quality of life, particularly young people and the elderly- involve them in caring for the environment and ensuring it is protected for future generations- strengthens the local economy through community-led entrepreneurial activity

This small trust supports conservation and community projects throughout Arran including wildlife, paths and trails, marine, conservation, and sustainability. The applicants must demonstrate a clear and positive contribution to the environment, and projects should be accessible to members of the public, and benefit the local community.

Supports projects located within or directly benefiting the community council area of Barr. It supports charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Barr.Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.