Ideas Into Action Fund - deadline approaching

The Rural Communities Ideas into Action Fund (RCIA) is a £1.5 million investment from the Scottish Government to encourage and support innovative approaches to community-led local development in rural communities across Scotland. If you've not applied yet, here's what you need to know.

Projects funded will contribute positively to local people and local priorities, helping rural communities to thrive through community-led initiatives. The Fund aims are:

• Rural communities will have the opportunity to try out different approaches to local community development;
• Groups and organisations will build connections with the rural Community Led Local Development sector;
• Rural groups and organisations will work collectively to make positive changes in their communities;
• A body of evidence, insights and learning will be collated to help inform future rural Community Led Local Development policy and programmes.

Two strands of funding are available, and both capital and revenue costs are eligible:

• Small grants of up to £3,000 to support community projects that fit with local needs and are locally led. Applications are invited from small not-for-profit, grassroots, voluntary and community organisations that are based in rural areas of Scotland. The application process has been simplified to make it easy for unincorporated groups to apply and both capital and expenditure costs are eligible.
• Large grants of between £3,001 and £50,000 for not-for-profit incorporated organisations to invest in community-led initiatives that respond to local need. 

There's two different application forms so be sure to use the correct one.

Applications must come from communities that are defined as being rural, either falling within the boundaries of a Local Action Group area (see map) or meeting the Scottish Government’s definition of a rural community.

Projects must be delivered by end of March 2022.

Make sure your application is in by the deadline of 12 noon on Friday 8 October.

For further information and guidance and the relevant application forms, visit the Inspiring Scotland website.