Funding

Scotland’s first ever National Islands Plan was published in 2019 and is now being reviewed as required by the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, which may lead to the publication of a new National Islands Plan. 

A fund designed to support local regeneration and sustainable development around Scotland’s coast has been launched by Crown Estate Scotland (CES).

The Sustainable Communities Fund, is made up of two different programmes. Total investment across the two programmes could reach £750,000 over the next three years.

Funded by the Scottish Government’s Rural Community-Led Fund, applications are being invited from constituted community groups, charities, co-operatives, public sector organisations, and micro and small sized enterprises throughout Angus (excluding the Cairngorms National Park area).  It can fund a range of activities which demonstrate positive community, social or environmental impacts.

A new report - 'Evidence to Support Development of a New Rural Support Scheme for Scotland: A summary of written outputs' - has been published.

The report covers twelve written separate reports. These provide evidence reviews, analysis, summaries and expert briefings on agriculture in Scotland, the purpose of which is to help shape future policy in order to deliver sustainable food production that tackles climate change and nature restoration.

Affordable housing supply in Shetland is set to receive a significant boost as an islands housing association has secured funding from the Scottish Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Hjaltland Housing Association will receive £20 million, which will enable the social landlord to start the project at Staneyhill in Lerwick this year.

Farmers in North Ayrshire, West Aberdeenshire and Orkney will have the opportunity to benefit from free business support via the Royal Countryside Fund (RCF) flagship 2023/24 Farm Resilience Programme which gets underway this autumn. 

Funding to help improve the health and welfare of cattle and sheep is now available for farmers and crofters.

Up to £1250 is available over two years to support a review of a flock or herd, and help farmers consider health and welfare interventions that improve performance.

In recognition of the important contribution museums make to our communities, the sector is to benefit from a new fund for crucial repair and maintenance work.

The Moray Local Action Fund 2023-2024 is open for funding applications and is an opportunity to secure funding for projects benefiting the people of Moray.

The fund is supported by a Scottish Government Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding which forms part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP).