The Highland Strategic Local Action Group who met during September, considered, and agreed funding for revenue projects submitted to the first round of the 2023/24 Community Regeneration Fund.

75 applications were considered, and of these, 61 were approved.

Chair of the Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: “Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) is an umbrella term used to cover multiple external funding programmes administered by the Highland Council. This first round was specifically to fund revenue projects financed from the Community-Led Local Development programme (CLLD). Although managed within the umbrella term Community Regeneration Funding, the CLLD programme builds on the legacy of the EU LEADER funding programme. Decisions on which projects are to receive funding is taken by a Local Action Group made up of third sector representatives, public agencies, and private organisations.”

He added: “A wide spectrum of projects were approved during this round, including feasibility studies and development phases for capital projects such as affordable housing schemes and visitor management facilities; revenue support for mental health services, youth work programmes and cost of living initiatives; revenue support for existing community transport schemes; and development support to improve community facilities and amenities.”

He continued: “It is fantastic that we have been successful in securing a large allocation of CLLD funding from the Scottish Government again this year. Last year, 48 projects benefitted from the CLLD programme meaning that, with this years’ approvals, £2m of additional funding has been invested in our rural communities over the last couple of years. This latest round of revenue funding provides essential support for local jobs and allows Highland communities to grow and develop new opportunities, all of which bring positive actions addressing the issues faced by our rural communities.”

The Community-Led Local Development programme is financed by the Scottish Government to encourage economic, social, and environmental development in rural areas. For 2023-24, £11.6 million of funding has been committed to support projects throughout Scotland including island communities.

In addition to the £1m of revenue funding already committed this year, the Highland Council has been awarded a further £400k of CLLD funding towards capital projects and this will be distributed with the remaining Community Regeneration Fund later this year.

A list of the successful projects is available here.