Rural Communities Challenge Fund for 2026/27 launched
The Aberdeenshire Local Action Group’s Rural Communities Challenge Fund 2026-27 is now live and open for applications.
Delivering funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural Community Led Local Development programme, the scheme is split into two separate grants, one for capital and one for revenue costs.
Applications are being invited from community groups, public sector organisations, charities and co-operatives throughout Aberdeenshire (excluding the Cairngorms area) for funding to support specific activities aimed at benefiting rural communities in the region.
Submissions will be assessed and approved by the Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (LAG), a cross-sector partnership which represents rural communities throughout Aberdeenshire.
Funding will be targeted towards both capital and revenue projects which can be delivered before February 28, 2027 which support one or more of the following priorities:
- An inclusive and connected Aberdeenshire – Enabling better connections within an across rural Aberdeenshire communities
- Accountable and Fair Aberdeenshire – Ensuring no one community is left behind or exposed to the devastating effects of inequality and poverty
- Sustainability of Places and Planet - Achieving a just transition to net zero through reducing emissions and regenerating the local environment
Grants of between £10,000 and £49,999 will be available for capital projects and grants of between £5,000 and £49,999 for revenue projects. A minimum 10% match funding contribution to projects by applicants is desirable but not essential. These are two separate funds, with two separate application forms.
The deadline for submission of applications is Sunday, June 28, and the application form and guidance can be found at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/business-support/funding/rural-communities-challenge-fund/
Awardees will be notified by mid-September.
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Alan Turner, said: “As we launch another round of the Rural Communities Challenge Fund, I would encourage applications from across Aberdeenshire. This funding offers a fantastic opportunity for local groups, charities and community-led projects to bring their ideas to life and make a real difference locally. I would strongly urge any organisation considering a capital or revenue grant to visit our website to learn more and, importantly, to engage early with our Economic Development team to help shape and strengthen their proposals.”
Chair of the Local Action Group of the Rural Community Challenge Fund, John Loder, added: “We are delighted to announce the launch of a new, and generous, round of funding for RCLLD in our rural communities. Timescales are tight, and funding for capital projects has been reduced, so the balance this year will be towards projects which either individually or more broadly help establish a realistic and workable understanding of the broader picture of third sector issues whichare developing at grassroots in rural Aberdeenshire – a picture which will guide and help co-ordinate our future RCLLD capital projects.”
Further information and support is available by contacting externalfunding@aberdeenshire.gov.uk