Twelve community projects in Argyll and Bute have received a share of £473,000 from the Scottish Government’s Community-Led Local Development Fund (CLLD).
The fund enables communities to develop solutions to local challenges through projects aimed at
- Eradicating child poverty
- Growing the economy
- Tackling the climate emergency
- Improving public services
This year, funding was for capital projects – building on and developing community spaces and projects in the region. Projects range from supporting Bunessan Community Association to upgrade the local community centre with a larger kitchen to enable more events to take place, to assisting InspirAlba with a community resilience project that will ensure nine communities have vital resources in the event of adverse weather. The Argyll and the Islands Local Action Group (LAG) oversees the delivery of the fund, while the Council is the accountable body responsible for administering it.
The 12 successful projects are as follows:
| Organisation | Project | Amount awarded |
| Mid Argyll Community Enterprises Limited | MACPool Activity Hub: Boiler system improvements | £49,080 |
| Interloch Community Transport | Raising funds to purchase two smaller accessible vehicles. | £18,000 |
| Ford Village Hall | Heating and electrical improvements | £55,458 |
| Rhu and Shandon Hall | Hall improvements to make it more energy efficient | £24,225 |
| Bunessan Community Association | Bunessan Community Centre – Kitchen Project | £7,200 |
| The Grab Trust | Expansion of The Lorn and Oban Reuse Initiative (LORI) | £41,980 |
| Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust | Creation of a multi-use games area for islanders to participate in sports and physical exercise. | £70,000 |
| Hope Kitchen | Improved accessibility | £17,963 |
| Victory Hall Benderloch | Creation of a digital meeting room to enable members of the community to join online meetings | £6,548 |
| Inspiralba | Resilience project that aims to ensure nine communities have a place to go that has energy backup in the event of adverse weather. | £54,325 |
| Scouts Scotland | Installation of solar panels and batteries on The Scout Adventures Lochgoilhead Outdoor Education Centre to reduce emissions and energy costs. | £28,013 |
| Ardentinny Outdoor Centre | Creation of a low ropes course | £23,046 |
Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, the Council’s Policy Lead for Business Development, said: “It’s fantastic to see another 12 community groups set to benefit from the Community Led Local Development Fund. This fund empowers community groups across Argyll and Bute to address their own unique challenges – building skills, nurturing innovation, and fostering collaboration along the way. The fund plays a vital role in helping to create strong, sustainable, resilient communities. I’m especially pleased to see such a diverse mix of successful projects, and I wish them every success as they move forward.”
Rebecca Atkinson-Lord, Chair of the Local Action Group said: “The projects funded this year are a powerful reminder of just how vital community groups are to life in Argyll and Bute. Whether it’s transport, sport, or shared spaces, they’re delivering the infrastructure that holds our communities together. We saw a real surge in projects focused on resilience—especially in the face of climate change—which shows how forward-thinking and responsive our communities are. With more than four times as many applications as funds available, the selection process was incredibly tough. But the projects we’ve supported are inspiring, and I’m excited to see the impact they’ll have in the year ahead.”
The Local Action Group is made up of representatives from local public bodies, charities, third sector organisations and other people with local expertise and knowledge and has been working for over 20 years to help support economic development in Argyll and Bute. If you or your organisation would be interested in joining the LAG to shape funding in future, contact CLLD@argyll-bute.gov.uk
