toggle menu
Supporting community led action in rural Scotland - Inspiring Scotland

News

The latest stories from Inspiring Scotland and our partner charities.

Supporting community led action in rural Scotland

Rural Community groups can now apply for funding to deliver community led solutions in their area, through a newly announced £3m funding pot delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland.

This will form the second tranche of an £11.6m funding package confirmed in this year’s Scottish budget, to continue to refine and test new approaches to Community Led Local Development. So far £7.8m has been invested by Scottish Government to revitalise the infrastructure of the volunteer LEADER Local Action Groups across Rural Scotland during 22/23.

The fund will build on the lessons learned last year through funding invested to allow community groups to try out good but unproven ideas and test new approaches to delivering CLLD, following the closure of the EU LEADER programme.

Continuing support for capacity building remains a critical issue. Local community development – at least in a comprehensive way across Scotland – has long been challenging, and the issues have been particularly exacerbated by the problems caused by Brexit and the pandemic. However, if local community structures are to thrive, they need support as rural Scotland emerges from the difficulties experienced over the last year.

Announcing the fund, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said:

“Rural communities are driving many of the changes we want to see across Scotland, and this fund will build on the investments made last year which allowed communities to address local challenges and opportunities.

“This is an important investment especially given the consequences of the cost of living crisis, fuel poverty and climate change which are of particular concern for our rural communities.”

“I look forward to seeing the good work continuing in helping our communities and contributing to our common goal of a thriving and resilient rural Scotland.”

Inspiring Scotland, who delivered the £1.8m ‘Rural Communities Ideas into Action’ fund last year, will act as delivery partners for the £3m fund which will have an increased focus on addressing the cost of living crisis and engaging the LAG network in the decision making process.

Inspiring Scotland CEO Celia Tennant said;

“We’re delighted to support The Scottish Government to deliver the Rural and Islands Communities Ideas into Action Fund. 

We know local, grassroots groups are best placed to respond to the needs and opportunities most important to their communities.  We look forward to getting alongside successful applicants and will support them to make meaningful change in their local area.”

Read more about the fund and apply. 

New funding to improve lives for people with learning disabilities
29.01.2025

New funding to improve lives for people with learning disabilities

People with learning disabilities will be supported to reach their full potential through a £1.6 million Scottish Government fund. The Learning Disability Support Fund will be available to third sector organisations to enable them to promote equality and inclusion and improve access to education, health services and social activities for people with learning disabilities. The

Read More
New funding to improve lives for people with learning disabilities
29.01.2025

New funding to improve lives for people with learning disabilities

People with learning disabilities will be supported to reach their full potential through a £1.6 million Scottish Government fund. The Learning Disability Support Fund will be available to third sector organisations to enable them to promote equality and inclusion and improve access to education, health services and social activities for people with learning disabilities. The

Read More
More funding available for community ecosystem restoration projects
20.01.2025

More funding available for community ecosystem restoration projects

A second round of the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund opens for applications today (Monday 20 January 2025) to enable community-led project groups in Scotland to develop local nature restoration projects. The Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund seeks to inspire, encourage, and enable communities to explore and develop ambitious ecosystem restoration projects locally. It also seeks to raise awareness

Read More