A £475,000 fund designed to support environmental and community-led projects across the Scottish Crown Estate has reopened for applications.
Crown Estate Scotland’s Sustainable Communities Fund, now in its sixth round, has already distributed £1.8 million since its launch in 2020.
The fund offers two types of grants aimed at helping local people tackle climate and community challenges close to home.
Environment Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 are available to Crown Estate Scotland tenants for projects that deliver measurable environmental benefits within 18 months of receiving funding.
Community Capacity Grants, worth £20,000 to £50,000, are open to early-stage enterprise ideas based within five miles of Scotland’s coastline or one of Crown Estate Scotland’s rural estates.
Past recipients span the country, from woodland and housing projects to marine development and environmental restoration.
Among them is the Arran Development Trust, which received £47,000 to help tackle depopulation by creating homes for key workers and young professionals.
In Sutherland, Scourie Community Development Company was awarded £33,000 to explore the potential for a community seaweed farm, while in Midlothian, the Three Hares Community Woodland used a £12,846 grant to plant an orchard and promote biodiversity through hands-on learning.
In Clackmannanshire, the Devon Angling Association received just under £20,000 to tackle invasive species threatening the River Devon and native salmon populations.
Tobermory Harbour Association also secured £28,000 to redevelop the Aros Waterfront and improve local marine and leisure facilities.
Applications for the new round opened on Tuesday 2 September.
Due to high demand in previous years, with requests last year exceeding the available funding by nearly 18 to 1 new criteria have been introduced to help prioritise bids with the greatest local impact.
Applicants will now be asked to demonstrate how their project addresses at least one of five key themes: sustainable housing, climate resilience, community infrastructure, enterprise and skills, or tourism and heritage.
Penny Coles, Head of Sustainable Development and Delivery at Crown Estate Scotland, said the changes would help strengthen the fund’s impact.
“We are delighted to be taking forward a refreshed round of our Sustainable Communities Fund and hope to continue building on the success of previous years,” she said.
“The fund has become more and more popular, so we have had to refine the fund to give eligible applicants a greater chance of success.
“The new themes will help to prioritise projects with the biggest impact for the communities most closely involved in management of the Scottish Crown Estate.”
The deadline for Expressions of Interest for the Community Capacity Grants is Monday 6 October at 12pm.
The deadline for Environment Grants is Monday 27 October at 12pm.
