Is your community group or organisation planning a major capital project that benefits your local area?
Would you like it to be considered for funding that may become available?
If so, Argyll and Bute Council would like to hear expressions of interest from you now.
The Council oversees a range of external funding programmes where it must be the applicant, but it can apply on behalf of another public sector or community organisation. These projects are assessed on a competitive basis and often must prepare submissions against tight deadlines.
By asking for expressions of interest now, we can start to understand which projects may be suitable for the funds that could become available. At this point we can’t guarantee if funding will be announced and if it will be suitable for your projects or if your projects will be selected.
We can accept expressions of interest from:
- Public sector organisations (not associated with Argyll and Bute Council);
- Constituted community groups;
- Registered charities;
- Voluntary and social enterprises;
- Co-operatives and community ownership initiatives;
- Development trusts;
- Not‑for‑profit organisations based in Argyll and Bute.
Organisations are invited to submit one proposal and the criteria for submissions are:
- Capital projects being delivered within Argyll and Bute with a minimum value of £50,000;
- Projects should demonstrate significant regeneration or economic benefits to their community;
- Projects should demonstrate a community need and support e.g. through community survey, plan or local place plan;
- Projects which can be delivered (i.e. construction started) in either the 2026/27 financial year or 2027/28;
- Projects which will be self-sustaining and viable in the long-term.
The Council will look at all the submissions and consider which once can be shortlisted as suitable for applications. Programmes that could become available include Scottish Government’s Islands Programme, Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, Carbon Neutral Islands Fund and Crown Estates Funding. Those which are selected to proceed to application stage will usually be in a competitive process against other projects across Scotland.
Council Leader Jim Lynch, Policy Lead for Economic Development, Housing, Islands and Communities, said:
“We have had great success in securing external funding to support community organisations delivering important projects in their local communities. Projects have received millions of pounds to help deliver projects such as new business spaces on Mull, Tiree and Colonsay, a children’s nursery in Cairndow, the refurbishment of Kilmartin Museum and a new clubhouse for Cove Sailing Club.
“We’re working hard to give new projects the best possible chance to access any funding opportunities available. We can’t make promises or guarantees. What we can do is make sure we contact suitable projects as soon as possible to give us the best chance to produce funding applications that reflect the ambition of the projects and the benefits they bring to our communities.
“I would urge you to get in touch.”
Find out more information, or register your expression of interest.
