CRF is an umbrella term being used to cover multiple community-led external funding programmes administered by the Highland Council. This includes the Highland Coastal Communities Fund, Place-Based Investment Programme, Community Led Local Development Fund, and UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Chair of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “It is wonderful that we have a second round of funding available this year for our communities to benefit from the various external funding sources the Highland Council receives.

“The CRF team saw a huge interest in the first round of the fund launched earlier this year for revenue only projects and are expecting similar levels of interest for this round where applications are welcome for capital and revenue projects. In previous years communities all across Highland have shown what great things they can achieve with CRF grants and I look forward to seeing what new initiatives come forward in this round.”

Projects will be expected to start early 2024 and be concluded and claimed by 1 March 2025.

It is generally expected that funding requests should be a minimum of £5,000 and maximum of £100,000. Applicants should only apply for the amount that is required for their project to be delivered.

Applicants are expected to source match funding, however under certain circumstances a request of 100% funding may be considered although applicants must demonstrate a need for this level of intervention.

Expressions of interest should be submitted by 12pm Friday 8 September to the CRF Team via communityregenerationfund@highland.gov.uk.

A copy of the form can be found on the council’s website where further information about the fund is provided. Applicants are urged to check the availability of funding in their area before they apply. Highland-wide or strategic projects that deliver activity in more than one committee area will not be considered during this funding round.

Further rounds of funding will be announced in due course.