Grant Directories

This UK-wide grant programme supports transformative, community-led initiatives in rural areas. It aims to inspire change and encourage economic vibrancy by funding innovative solutions. The programme targets projects that align with themes such as keeping young people in the countryside, powering up rural communities, increasing environmental sustainability, and building emergency resilience. Isolated rural areas where alternative services are unavailable receive focused support. Projects must be community-led, demonstrating a clear understanding of local needs and showcasing characteristics like long-term vision, collaboration, and innovation.

VisitScotland is the national tourism organisation for Scotland which aims to contribute significantly to the advancement of Scottish tourism. Scotland’s Improvement Districts offer local businesses up to £20,000 to help set up Tourism Business Improvement Districts across Scotland to support the growth and development of their area’s tourism industry. Specialist advice and guidance on how to do so is also provided. They will also work in close collaboration with the businesses involved during the development process and when the Improvement District is operating.

The Childcare Fund scheme is funded by Shetland Islands Council and managed in partnership with Shetland Childcare Partnership. The scheme is designed to support partner providers delivering pre-school education service and voluntary and private sector organisations registered to provide Day Care and/or Out of School Care. The aim of the scheme is to help to maintain, grow, develop and improve the services provided in this sector. Eligible organisations can apply for items such as car insurance and car safety seats (where a vehicle is used to deliver a childcare service); learning materials and resources; toys and outdoor equipment; non statutory training; works or equipment required to comply with Fire Safety, Health and Safety.

Funded by Shetland Islands Council and managed in partnership with Shetland Childcare Partnership, this grant scheme is designed to support Childminding Services in Shetland. The scheme can support local Childminders to start up, continue to provide or develop and improve a Childminding Service. The aim of the scheme is to help to maintain, grow, develop and improve the services of Shetland's Childminders. Examples of eligible expenditure include: Public liability and car insurance; membership of Scottish Childminding Association; subscriptions to Childcare publications; toy and outdoor resources; IT equipment; printer ink and admin resources; car safety seats; fire safety resources; works and/or equipment to meet Health and Safety requirements; work to meet standards required by the Care Inspectorate; accountancy fees.

The Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation scheme supports suppliers and producers whilst enabling them to contribute to the Scottish Government's overall vision for food and drink in Scotland to make Scotland healthier, wealthier and smarter, with stronger communities and production that is socially and environmentally sustainable. Through this scheme, supplier and producers can apply for start-up grants for a new business or development grants for an existing business. Capital and non-capital costs may be funded, examples of activities include developing or creating food processing facilities, including buildings and equipment; marketing products in home and export markets; running co-operative ventures to make sure more value is retained by both farmers and growers; improving supply-chain efficiency

The Scottish Government's Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme provides grants of up to £25,000 for individuals or up to £125,000 for groups of crofters to make improvements to their crofts and help to sustain their businesses. The funding can be used for: capital projects, such as the construction or improvement of agricultural buildings or the establishment of crofter elected Common Grazings Committees responsible for managing and maintaining common grazing. Funding for eligible capital projects can cover all aspects of the project, including costs of materials, transportation of materials, costs of contractors and own labour. Examples of projects include (but are not limited to): Improving stock control; protecting crops from damage by deer; wintering of livestock; storing winter fodder; improving grassland management.

The Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) will support the creation of new woodlands and the sustainable management of existing woodlands. Eligible businesses can apply for support under eight categories two for the creation of woodland and six for management of existing woodland, these are: Woodland creation; agroforestry; woodland improvement; sustainable management of forests; tree health; harvesting and processing; forest infrastructure and forestry co-operation.

The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme promotes land management practices that protect and enhance Scotland's natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk and mitigate and adapt to climate change. The scheme will also help to improve public access and preserve historic sites. The funding will help to: support appropriate management for vulnerable and iconic species and habitats; contribute to climate change targets by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and securing carbon stores in peatlands and other organic soils; meet obligations to improve water quality under the EU Water Framework Directive by reducing diffuse pollution; control flooding through natural flood risk management; support organic farming; preserve the historic environment; improve public access.

The Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) provides essential income support to farming businesses in remote and constrained rural areas. Grants are offered to allow farmers and crofters to continue to operate as viable businesses; avoid the risk of land abandonment; help maintain the countryside by ensuring continued agricultural land use and to maintain and promote sustainable farming systems.

The Prince's Countryside Fund gives grants to projects that have a positive impact upon rural areas. It is supported by a unique collaboration of businesses working together to secure a sustainable future for British agriculture and the wider rural economy. Funding of up to £25,000 is available for projects that improve service provision in rural areas; support rural enterprise; support farming businesses; and provide training opportunities for young people. The Fund provides grants of  to projects that are tackling key rural issues: Thriving Rural Communities: Rural Livelihoods: Farmers of the Future.