New Dumfries and Galloway Local Action Group announced

A new Local Action Group (LAG) has been created to manage the delivery of the Scottish Government Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding programme within Dumfries and Galloway.

Dumfries and Galloway’s new LAG will manage the delivery of the CLLD fund programme locally, with over £560,000 in funding this year for revenue and capital projects within the region. The CLLD fund forms part of the wider Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). 

CLLD funding gives communities the power to tackle challenges within their area and Scotttish Government has committed £11.6 million of CLLD funding for financial year 2023-24 across rural and island Scotland.

The membership of the Dumfries and Galloway LAG group compises Harry Harbottle (Chair), Karen Ward Boyd (Vice Chair), Susan Garnsworthy, Helen Keron, Rose Murdoch, Lara Porter, Charlotte Gibson, Lewis Shaw, James Galloway, Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Professor Nick Sparks, Will Marshall and a representative from the Economic Development department at Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Harry Harbottle, Chair of the LAG, said:

“In Dumfries and Galloway, we have our own distinct local challenges and opportunities. We will, through the newly established autonomous and community led Local Action Group, aim to fund projects that will bring local people together, generate ideas, and share skills to take advantage of these opportunities and address these challenges.”

Additional members of the LAG will be be sought over the coming months including two youth representatives.

The fund will open for applications at the end of August (full details being published in advance). Applications will be accepted from Dumfries and Galloway-based charities, constituted community groups, co-operatives, public sector organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and community interest companies.