Community development

Researchers from The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen are conducting surveys to understand the challenges of opportunities facing Scotland’s vast rural areas. In particular, their research focuses on localities as potential places to live, rural travel, and local food. 

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.

People across Scotland are being asked to suggest ways of increasing local control over decision-making.

The second phase of the Democracy Matters national conversation will give people the opportunity to come together in their communities to imagine how new and inclusive democratic processes can best help their town, village or neighbourhood.

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).