The BIG Lottery Fund Scotland will launch new Investing in Communities programmes on 30th June 2010. It has also announced the release, in Scotland, of £50 million to enhance the lives of young people leaving care, and those with demetia and their carers. See this press release for details.

The mobile phone company 02 has introduced a funding scheme directed at 13 to 25 year olds. They can apply for grants of up to £300, for projects which they have devised to address local issues. The Think Big site has full details.

The CashBack for Communities Small Grants Scheme supports local volunteer led groups to get positive projects off the ground. The scheme will look at funding:

• The start up costs of a unit or youth group (up to £1,000)
• The costs (or part of the costs) of a particular programme of activity (up to £2,000). This can include equipment.

The next deadline 1st June 2010, and thereafter every 3 months.

A service is available to help community groups in rural Scotland access a range of funding programmes. If your community wants to refurbish your village hall, develop new local services or come up with a long-term plan for community development, then make the most of the funding programmes that are out there. Rural Direct is a free service available to constituted community groups in rural areas throughout Scotland.  You can contact the service by calling 0845 838 8598. Calls will be charged at local rate.

You can also email your query to  ruraldirect@scvo.org.uk

or ruraldirect@crofterscommission.org.uk.

The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP)

2007-13 is an initiative which, through the Leader Funding Programme, can help establish and support innovative projects in rural areas. The Leader grant can only be released to eligible parties once they have secured match funding, normally 50% or more of the total project cost. The rules vary for projects eligible to apply to the Convergence fund. For full information contact Sheila McLean, project

co-ordinator, on:

01631 564424 or 07760 246574

sheila.mclean@argyll-bute.gov.uk

An intended outcome of the Leader programme is community benefit, so public bodies should be considered as possible sources of match funding. A minimum overall project cost of £1000 applies. Check here for eligibility.

Information on the application process and eligibility for funding through the Rural Priorities programme can be found on the Rural Priorities page. Information on both this and the LEADER funds is available from Jim Nichols in the office (01770 600611), who will be able to direct you to the project advisors. For Rural Priorities, the 'judging panel' is called the Regional Proposal Assessment Committee, or RPAC.