Businesses and community groups located across Scotland’s inhabited islands are now able to apply for grants of up to £150,000 through the new Island Communities Fund (ICF) for projects focussed on supporting sustainable island economies and the journey towards net zero.
The £2 million Islands Green Recovery Programme was delivered last year as part of the wider £230 million capital stimulus package. It delivered 67 projects that reached across 29 different islands in six local authority areas and provided a ‘real term’ investment of more than £2.7 million.
The fund is backed by £2 million of Scottish Government funding, which comes from the £9.5 million committed to the Islands Programme for 2021-22.
Grant applications will be submitted through Inspiring Scotland, who will manage the fund. Applicants will be expected to put forward ‘shovel-ready’ island-based community-led projects and detail how it will contribute to a successful and sustainable future for the islands and support employment and community resilience.
See: New fund opens for island communities – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)