Lottery support for Lanarkshire’s rural communities to drive forward local action plans

Community Action Lanarkshire, a project of the Rural Development Trust, is delighted after being awarded almost £148,000 in National Lottery funding to continue its work with rural communities across Lanarkshire.

The Rural Development Trust was established in 2004 with the aim of tackling rural issues and improving life for rural residents. They were a key partner in the successful Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP) and were responsible for the first phase of the Community Action Lanarkshire project funded by Lanarkshire LEADER, which supported rural communities to prepare local action plans and develop projects.

Community Action Lanarkshire, based in Douglas Water will use the funding to support community-led development and delivery of community wellbeing projects in rural areas across Lanarkshire. The project will include Caldercruix, Greengairs, Harthill, Plains and Upperton in North Lanarkshire and Carstairs Junction, Kirkfieldbank and Sandford in South Lanarkshire. The project will support these rural communities to develop, lead and deliver projects identified within their individual community led-action plans, available to view here.

The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will see these eight communities given support over a three year period.  

The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Director, Neil Ritch: said: “In these uncertain times our priority is to ensure that National Lottery money continues to flow to charities, voluntary sector organisations and grassroots groups. I would like to congratulate the Rural Development Trust on their award, theirs is an important project which will support people now and in the future when they can physically come back together to make great things happen in their community.”

Gordon Muir, Managing Director of the Rural Development Trust says: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised the efforts communities and staff have put into developing this project. Now, thanks to National Lottery players, the Community Action Lanarkshire project will be able to provide these rural communities with support to deliver projects which will improve their communities.”

Kirsten Robb, Manager of the Community Action Lanarkshire project says: “We’re grateful to everyone for their support for this application and excited to continue working with local people and partners to take forward community-led action plans.”