Deadline: 16-Jul-21
Applications are now open for Inspiring Scotland’s Island Communities Fund to supports the grassroots delivery of the National Islands Plan.
It builds on the success and learnings from the Islands Green Recovery Programme (2020/21) and represents a £2 million ‘on-island’ capital grant commitment.
As a community-focused fund, the Island Communities Fund seeks to maximise the impact of grant funding whilst delivering transformative outcomes.
All successful projects will support employment and community resilience through activities that deliver green economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, linked to commitments within the National Islands Plan.
Additionally, successful applicants will contribute to a broad range of Scottish Government policies, through inclusive growth and Community Wealth Building approaches.
The Islands Programme will support support projects that encourage population growth and stem population decline; deliver on our net-zero ambitions in a way that no-one is left behind; and support a green economic recovery from the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Islands Team will work with key island stakeholders and across Scottish Government to ensure that investments align to local priorities, while contributing to ongoing collaborative priorities for population work in their island communities, and creating/supporting sustainable employment opportunities; all central delivery priorities within the National Islands Plan (NIP) and NIP Implementation Route Map 2020-2025.
Aims
- All successful projects will have demonstrated how they will support
- employment and community resilience, through activities that deliver green
- economic recovery from the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, linked to commitments within the National Islands Plan (NIP).
- Additionally, successful applicants will contribute to a broad range of Scottish Government policies, through inclusive growth and Community Wealth Building (CWB) approaches.
- As a community-focussed fund, the ICF will seek to maximise the impact of grant funding whilst delivering transformative outcomes. Projects should demonstrate how they will help islands to thrive through community-led initiatives that contribute to ongoing population priorities through green infrastructure activities that can play their
- part in re-shaping and enhancing communities as part of a green economic recovery and to support resilient, successful and sustainable futures for their islands.
- Successful applicants will need to have a clear focus on developing sustainable economic activities on islands, through job creation, sustainable employment and the safeguarding of jobs. A strong emphasis is required on how projects will contribute to Scotland’s fair and just transition to net zero and to climate-resilient living on islands, while also supporting COVID-19 recovery and increased community resilience.
Funding Information
- Businesses and community groups located across Scotland’s inhabited islands can apply for grants of up to £150,000 for projects focused on supporting sustainable island economies and the journey towards net zero.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible, you must meet all the following criteria:
- Does the project link directly to at least one National Islands Plan Strategic Objective?
- Are you a Scottish Island business, organisation or community group that fits into one of these categories:
- Social Enterprise
- Co-operative
- Community Interest Company
- Company Limited by Guarantee
- Incorporated Group
- Sole Trader
- Ltd Company or Partnership
- Will the project support job creation, sustainable employment opportunities or the safeguarding of jobs while contributing to sustainable economic development?
- Does the project support a fair and just transition to net zero and climate resilient living?
- Does the project support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance community resilience?
- Are you applying solely for capital costs?
- Do you expect the funding will be spent and the project complete by 31 March 2022?
- I/they confirm that the applicant is/applicants are not a statutory or public body
For more information, visit https://www.inspiringscotland.org.uk/what-we-do/our-funds/island-communities-fund/