Funding

The LEADER co-operation project called Crowdfund Scotland is now up and running, with coaches covering nine of the participating LAG areas within Scotland. The Crowdfunder strategy opens up opportunities for people to learn how to raise the money for their projects across Scotland to assist with economic growth and development. 

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for regional food and drink projects through Connect Local's Regional Food Fund.

The next round of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) has opened for applications today (17 January).

AECS is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme. It supports environmentally-friendly land management practices that aim to safeguard and improve Scotland's natural heritage and help businesses adapt to climate change.

Community groups can apply for funding towards artistic and visual improvements to their local National Cycle Network routes.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available from the ArtRoots Fund, funded by Transport Scotland and delivered by Sustrans Scotland. The fund seeks to empower local communities in making improvements on local routes to increase user confidence and make journeys on the National Cycle Network more enjoyable for everyone.

A new fund led by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will support projects that encourage visitors to experience more of the unique nature and culture of the Highlands & Islands.

The Natural & Cultural Heritage Fund will invest in around ten major new projects that showcase the local scenery, wildlife and culture of the area. It also aims to benefit communities, with the projects it supports helping to retain local jobs and services.

Local food and drink initatives across the country have been awarded grants from the second round of the Regional Food Fund.

Grants totalling £95,700 have been awarded to 21 projects including a harvest food festival in Castle Douglas, an Ethical Farming Conference to take place in Dumfries and Galloway and a Streetfood Zone at the Stranraer Oyster Festival.

A new funding round from the Prince's Countryside Fund has opened for applications today, 9 January 2019.

The Prince's Countryside Fund has grants of up to £50,000 available for projects that will provide a long-term positive impact to the individuals and communities they seek to benefit.

Their grants aim to sustain rural communities, improve the prospects of viability for farm and rural businesses, and support aid delivery in an emergency and build resilience. ​Individuals and private farm businesses are not eligible for funding.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has confirmed that hill farmers and crofters in Scotland's most remote areas will continue to receive support under the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme into 2020.

The Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) provides essential income support to farming businesses in remote and constrained rural areas.

Funding is used to:

Funding from Highland LEADER is helpingto improve car parking facilities at a popular tourist spot on Skye.

Due to fewer applications coming forward than expected there is still approximately £150,000 available from Orkney LEADER for farm diversification/sectoral business support projects in Orkney.