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Rural Communities Ideas into Action Fund

Supporting innovative approaches

The Rural Communities Ideas into Action Fund (RCIA) is a £1.5 million investment from the Scottish Government to encourage and support innovative approaches to community-led local development in rural communities across Scotland. Two strands of funding are available — small grants for projects up to £3,000 and large grants for projects £3,001-£50,000.

Projects funded will contribute positively to local people and local priorities, helping rural communities to thrive through community-led initiatives. The Fund outcomes are:

  • Rural communities will have the opportunity to try out different approaches to local community development;
  • Groups and organisations, not funded by Tranche 1 of the Rural Communities Testing Change Fund, will build connections with the rural Community Led Local Development sector;
  • Rural groups and organisations will work collectively to make positive changes in their communities;
  • A body of evidence, insights and learning will be collated to help inform future rural Community Led Local Development policy and programmes.

Eligibility

Applications must come from communities that are defined as being rural, meeting the Scottish Government’s definition of a rural community.

Applications are welcomed from not-for-profit groups for capital and revenue expenditure for projects to be delivered by the end of March 2022.

Small Grants of up to £3,000 are available for grassroots rural groups or organisations to support community projects that fit with local needs and are locally led. The process for applying for this funding has been simplified to make it easy for unincorporated groups to apply and both capital and expenditure costs are eligible.

Large Grants of between £3,001 and £50,000 are available for not for profit organisations to invest in community-led initiatives that respond to local need. Again, capital and revenue costs are eligible and these can be delivered in partnership with other local organisations.

Further information on eligibility can be found in the application guidance notes.

Fund Information and Guidance

Please read the  information and guidance notes for further information about the fund and application process. We strongly recommend you prepare your application in advance, ensuring answers are within the word limits, and then copy and paste answers into the online form when you are ready to submit.

In addition to the main application for the Large Grants, you will need to upload and submit a budget template.

To apply, be sure to use the correct application form:

Information on what to do when you are ready to submit your final application can be found in the technical guidance.

Applications must be submitted by midday Friday 8th October 2021.

Contact Us

For all enquiries about the Rural Communities Ideas into Action Fund, please email ruralcommunities@inspiringscotland.org.uk.

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