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The Outer Hebrides Community Led Local Development Local Action Group (CLLD LAG) have launched their 2025-26 Fund, which offers capital funding to organisations working in and supporting our communities.Applicants must support the LAG’s overarching ambition of increasing collaboration and community empowerment through inclusion, equality and diversity, and demonstrate that their project has been developed with input from the community/ies they aim to support. Funded activity must closely align with at least one of the LAG’s main priorities for 2025-26, which are:- Community Wealth Building; - Dùthchas and Dualchas[1] with a focus on identifying new approaches that can lead to economic benefits; - Working towards Net Zero; and- Connectivity and efficient & sustainable transport.Funding requests must be for activity which:- has an immediate, demonstrable impact;- helps raise the profile of CLLD;- incorporates a collaborative approach, including projects which demonstrate inter-island or across-community working; - demonstrates community buy-in, alignment with community plans and/or that a significant community need is being addressed.

Halkirk District Benefit Fund provides community benefit to individuals residing in the Halkirk are (Altnabreac, Banniskirk, Calder, Georgemas, Harpsdale, Spittal, Mybster and Westerdale).The aim of this fund is to advance education and relieve poverty for the benefit of the public and: - to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure.- provision of facilities for meetings, education, and recreation- provision of facilities for the young and elderly- provision of facilities for those who have additional needs- provision of training, education, meetings, lectures, etc.- bringing together organisations for the benefit of the public of the environment - research, collation, and promotion of the history of the Halkirk area.Applicants should demonstrate local consultation and procurement, partnership working and sustainable development.

The fund will provide grants to not-for profit groups to support charitable activities in Marybank, Scatwell & Strathconon that:- Enhance quality of life for local residents- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities- Promote community spirit and encourage community activityPriorities for the fund are projects that:- Enhance community facilities and physical assets- Address the cost of living crisis- Build skills, knowledge and understanding among groups delivering projects and people benefiting from projects- Address issues of rural isolation- Can evidence widespread support from the local community- Take a creative approach to meeting the needs of the local community- Create opportunities for all to get involved- Source goods and services locally where appropriate- Both revenue items (e.g. running costs), and capital items (e.g. to buy equipment) can be funded. The Panel prefer that awards result in additional activity, i.e. are not used primarily to maintain existing activity.The Panel will revisit the fund aims and priorities periodically, and may make changes to these taking into account any changes in local needs and aspirations.

Funds projects and initiatives that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities within the Solwaybank Windfarm area and enhance the lives of those living and working in the area will be supported.Applications are welcomed that fall into the following categories:- Enhance the quality of life for local residents;- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities;- Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.Priority will be given to projects which can demonstrate:- Local consultation – evidence that the local community has been consulted and is supportive of the project;- Strategic projects – with longer term impacts and benefits;- Partnership working – working with other organisations (e.g. voluntary, local, regional or national) to add value to a project.- Local procurement – using local suppliers and providers for goods and services, where possible.- Environmental considerations – consideration of the project’s carbon footprint and minimising the environmental impact.Match funding of at least 10% of the project cost will normally be required, but projects with more match funding to add to the value of the project and maximise the Community Benefit funding are preferred.

Large Grants focuses on work that addresses the impacts of poverty and trauma under one or more of the following themes: - Financial security- Education pathways- Work pathways- Relationships (this pathway will launch later in the year).They seek to fund work that: meets people's immediate needs, provides earlier help, tests new approaches or does more of what work, and is universal or targeted. See website for details of target groups.

National Lottery Awards for All offers funding to support what matters to people and communities. The programme is a partnership between the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, sportscotland and Creative Scotland. It can fund projects that’ll do at least one of these things:- bring people together to build strong relationships in and across communities- improve the places and spaces that matter to communities- help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage- support people, communities and organisations facing more demands and challenges because of the cost-of-living crisis.If you are applying for a project involving the arts, they will prioritise projects that: engage people from areas of high deprivation; remove financial barriers to access creative activities; address rural isolation and encourage activity in rural areas; engage older people, people in care homes and carers; engage care leavers; support integration of refugees and asylum seekers. If you are applying for a project focused on sport, they will prioritise projects that: engage young people from our most deprived areas; engage girls and young women; engage disabled young people.They are looking for projects that are connected to local people and their communities, and use their existing skills and experience. It is important to involve your community from the start - in the design, development and delivery of the activities you’re planning.Announced on 25th March 2026, there is also an additional £2.2 million of National Lottery funding to support community, arts, and sports activity inspired by Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, bringing the excitement of the Games to towns and neighbourhoods across Scotland.This summer, organisations delivering Glasgow 2026-inspired activities can apply for up to £10,000 of National Lottery funding for projects lasting up to 12 months that will:- increase access and remove barriers so more people can take part in arts or sports activities- bring people together and strengthen connections within and across communities- support health and wellbeing through physical activity and shared community experiences- celebrate cultural diversity and international connections- create a lasting legacy that communities can enjoy beyond the Games