Call for Carrick Futures Community Development Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 21-Sep-2026

Carrick Futures provides funding for community-led projects that support rural regeneration, sustainability, wellbeing, and local opportunities across South Carrick in Scotland. The fund helps communities develop projects that improve public services, tackle inequality, support young people, strengthen community assets, and protect the environment.

Supported by ScottishPower Renewables community benefit funds from Arecleoch and Mark Hill Windfarms, Carrick Futures receives around £500,000 annually. Grants are generally available through small grants of £500 to £5,000, standard grants of £5,001 to £50,000, and large grants above £50,000.

What is Carrick Futures?

Carrick Futures is a community benefit fund supporting projects that benefit communities across South Carrick in South Ayrshire, Scotland.

The fund supports local groups and organisations working to improve community life, strengthen rural regeneration, and create long-term opportunities for residents.

It is designed to help communities become thriving places where people can live, work, raise families, and grow older.

Main Purpose of the Fund

The main purpose of Carrick Futures is to support community-led development across South Carrick.

The fund aims to:

• Strengthen rural regeneration
• Support sustainable community development
• Improve access to local services
• Tackle poverty and disadvantage
• Improve health and wellbeing
• Create opportunities for children and young people
• Support community-led assets
• Promote climate-smart environmental action
• Strengthen local jobs, businesses, and the economy

Funding Source

Carrick Futures is supported by ScottishPower Renewables community benefit funds from Arecleoch and Mark Hill Windfarms.

The fund receives around £500,000 each year to support projects benefiting communities in South Ayrshire.

Funding availability may vary depending on existing commitments.

Geographic Focus

The fund primarily supports projects located within or directly benefiting eligible South Carrick communities.

Priority community council areas include:

• Ballantrae
• Colmonell & Lendalfoot
• Barr
• Barrhill
• Dailly
• Pinmore & Pinwherry
• Girvan & District

Projects should clearly benefit people living in one or more of these eligible communities.

Funding Amount

Carrick Futures offers several grant levels.

Funding is generally available through:

• Small grants of £500 to £5,000
• Standard grants of £5,001 to £50,000
• Large grants above £50,000

Large grant applications follow a two-stage process, beginning with an initial enquiry form.

Micro Grants

A micro grant scheme of up to £1,000 is also available through local Community Councils for eligible communities.

This smaller funding route can support local activities, small community improvements, and grassroots initiatives.

Project Duration

Awards can support projects for up to three years.

Applicants should prepare realistic project plans, timelines, and budgets that match the scale and duration of the proposed work.

Who is Eligible?

Groups and organisations working to benefit people in eligible South Carrick communities can apply.

Applicants do not need to be registered charities.

However, they must meet the fund’s eligibility requirements and provide enough information for assessment, risk management, and fraud prevention.

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

Carrick Futures supports a wide range of community-led projects.

Supported activities may include projects that:

• Improve access to public services
• Support education and learning
• Improve recreation opportunities
• Tackle inequality
• Reduce poverty and disadvantage
• Support health and wellbeing
• Create opportunities for children and young people
• Develop community-led assets
• Support local jobs and enterprise
• Protect and promote the environment
• Promote climate-smart community action

Fund Priorities

Carrick Futures supports projects aligned with local community priorities.

Key priorities include:

• Public services
• Education
• Recreation
• Poverty reduction
• Tackling disadvantage
• Health and wellbeing
• Children and young people
• Community assets
• Climate action
• Environmental protection
• Community wealth-building
• Local economic development

Community Wealth-Building Approach

Carrick Futures follows a community wealth-building approach.

This means the fund supports projects that help local people, groups, and businesses build stronger local economies.

Projects may contribute to:

• Local jobs
• Skills development
• Community-owned assets
• Stronger local businesses
• Improved local services
• More resilient rural communities
• Economic opportunities shaped by local priorities

Key Concepts Explained

Community-Led Project

A community-led project is planned and delivered by local people, groups, or organisations based on local needs and opportunities.

Rural Regeneration

Rural regeneration means improving rural areas by strengthening services, facilities, economic opportunities, community life, and environmental quality.

Community Benefit Fund

A community benefit fund provides financial support to local communities, often linked to renewable energy developments or other local investment sources.

Community Wealth-Building

Community wealth-building focuses on keeping more value, opportunity, and economic benefit within local communities.

Community-Led Asset

A community-led asset is a building, facility, space, or resource managed or developed by the community for local benefit.

How the Fund Works

Applicants can apply for the grant level that best matches their project size.

Small and standard grants support a wide range of community activities and local projects.

Large grants above £50,000 require a two-stage process, beginning with an initial enquiry form.

Applications are assessed to confirm eligibility, manage risk, and prevent fraud.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a proposal that clearly explains the project idea, community benefit, eligible location, budget, and expected outcomes.

Suggested Application Steps

1. Confirm that the project benefits an eligible South Carrick community.
2. Identify the local need or opportunity the project will address.
3. Choose the appropriate funding level.
4. For large grants above £50,000, begin with an initial enquiry form.
5. Prepare a clear project plan and timeline.
6. Explain how the project supports one or more fund priorities.
7. Show how local people will benefit.
8. Prepare a realistic budget.
9. Explain any partnerships, match funding, or community support.
10. Submit the application according to Carrick Futures requirements.

Expected Results

Funded projects should create practical and lasting benefits for South Carrick communities.

Expected results may include:

• Better access to local services
• Stronger community facilities
• Improved wellbeing
• More opportunities for young people
• Reduced inequality
• Greater community participation
• Stronger local identity
• Improved environmental outcomes
• More sustainable community assets
• Stronger rural economies

Why It Matters

Rural communities need strong local services, opportunities, facilities, and community-led solutions to thrive.

Carrick Futures helps local groups turn ideas into action by supporting projects that respond to real community needs.

The fund also helps communities benefit from renewable energy investment, ensuring that windfarm community benefit funds support long-term local development across South Carrick.

Tips for Strong Applications

A strong application should clearly show how the project benefits eligible communities and supports the fund’s priorities.

Applicants should focus on:

• Clear local need
• Strong community benefit
• Direct connection to eligible communities
• Practical and realistic project planning
• Strong alignment with fund priorities
• Community involvement
• Sustainability beyond the grant
• Clear budget and timescale
• Benefits for people facing disadvantage
• Positive impact on local wellbeing, services, assets, or environment

Applicants should show how the project contributes to stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive communities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should carefully check the fund’s geographic and eligibility requirements before applying.

Common mistakes include:

• Proposing a project that does not benefit an eligible South Carrick community
• Not explaining the local need clearly
• Applying for the wrong grant level
• Submitting a large grant request without following the two-stage process
• Providing an unclear budget
• Failing to show community benefit
• Not linking the project to fund priorities
• Providing weak evidence of community support
• Not explaining how risks will be managed
• Assuming charity registration is required when other eligible groups may apply

FAQ

What is Carrick Futures?

Carrick Futures is a community benefit fund supporting community-led projects that benefit South Carrick communities in Scotland.

Where does the funding come from?

The fund is supported by ScottishPower Renewables community benefit funds from Arecleoch and Mark Hill Windfarms.

How much funding is available annually?

Carrick Futures receives around £500,000 annually, although available funding varies depending on existing commitments.

What grant sizes are available?

Small grants range from £500 to £5,000, standard grants range from £5,001 to £50,000, and large grants are available above £50,000.

Is there a micro grant option?

Yes. Micro grants of up to £1,000 are available through local Community Councils for eligible communities.

Who can apply?

Groups and organisations working to benefit people in eligible communities can apply. Applicants do not need to be registered charities but must meet eligibility requirements.

Which areas are supported?

Priority areas include Ballantrae, Colmonell & Lendalfoot, Barr, Barrhill, Dailly, Pinmore & Pinwherry, and Girvan & District.

Conclusion

Carrick Futures provides important funding for community-led projects that strengthen rural regeneration, sustainability, wellbeing, and local opportunity across South Carrick. With small, standard, large, and micro grant options available, the fund supports a wide range of projects that improve services, tackle inequality, support young people, develop community assets, and protect the environment.

Strong applications will demonstrate clear community benefit, alignment with local priorities, realistic planning, and a meaningful contribution to thriving, resilient, and connected communities in South Ayrshire.

For more information, visit Foundation Scotland.