Funding

There are a large number of sources of funding, each with its own set of rules and guidelines. Some will provide funding only to community groups, others only to producers. The situation is always changing, with paper directories out of date almost as soon as they are published. The following sources are good places to start:

Scottish Agriculture: A guide to grants and services (June 2004)

Publication of Scottish Executive, available for downloading.

FunderFinder

A large database with keyword searching. Available from many local Council for Voluntary Services (CVS), some LECS, or via SCVO (see below).

Scottish Community Diet Project

A Scottish Executive-funded project working to improve diet and health. Its website has funding information and a downloadable guide to funding for community food projects.

Scottish Council for Voluntary Services (SCVO)

SCVO manages the Scottish-Executive-funded Rural Gateway website, which has a useful funding section, primarily aimed at community groups. It also has details on how to contact SCVO's Rural Information Officer who will help find funding sources.

SCVO also supports the WorkWithUs website, which has a section on funding

Soil Association Cultivating Communities Website

Provides list of possible funding sources, with links. Note that this project has now finished, so information will gradually become out of date

Local Enterprise Company (LEC)

Advisers in the LEC regions of HIE will have information on funding for agricultural projects, business start ups, etc.

Local Authority, Planning and Development Departments

Development Managers for the local authorities in the HIE area (Highland Council, Western Isles Council, Orkney Isles Council, Shetland Council, Moray Council, Argyll & Bute Council) will have information on funding.

The following are some current funding sources of funding:

Future Builders

Funding for social economy organisations to deliver better public services and increase their financial sustainability.

Scotland Unlimited

Grants for social enterpreneurs.

SEERAD(Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department)

SEERAD Administers several grant schemes including:

ABDS (Agricultural Business Development Scheme) (operating to 2006)

The ABDS is designed to assist with:-

• The restructuring or re-orientation of agricultural produciton by exploitation of new business opportunities, expansion of holdings, improvement of product quality.

• Improvement of co-operation and collaboration among producers by encouraging collaborative ventures involving three or more eligible persons each linked to a separate agricultural business.
• Creating new, or extending existing, diversification activities whether on or off farm/croft by the agricultural business or the immediate family.
• Training linked to projects undertaken with ABDS assistance.
• Marketing associated with diversification activities assisted under the ABDS.

APMG (Agricultural Processing and Marketing Grants) (operating to 2006)
Grant providing a capital element for assistance towards the purchase of plant and equipment and a non-capital element which can assist with a range of projects including market research and consultancy, product development, point of sale material and attendance at trade fairs.

Crofters Commission

The Crofters Commission provides grants for crofters including:

CCAGS (Crofters Counties Agricultural Grants (Scotland) )
Note: A revised CCAGS scheme will start in April 2006.

CCDS (Crofting Community Development Scheme)

CES (Croft Entrant Scheme)

Contact the Crofters Commission Development Division on 01463 663408 for further information.

Princes Trust

Grants for 14-30 years old, particularly in business startups.