Expression of Interest application process
Argyll and Bute Council officers will review all EOI submissions received by the deadline against the expected criteria of potential external funds. From this exercise we will create a shortlist of projects which could be suitable for application. The funds which we envisage may be available include the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme, Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Carbon Neutral Islands Fund, and Crown Estates Funding. Even where a project might be shortlisted, there is no guarantee that funding will be available or that, if invited to apply, they would be successful in securing funding. Those which are selected to proceed to application stage will usually be in a competitive process against other projects across Scotland. By way of example in a call for EOIs for Regeneration Capital Grant Fund in 2025:
- We reviewed 34 projects,
- 6 (18%) were invited to submit a Stage 1 application to the Scottish Government,
- Of the 6, 4 (12%) were invited by the Scottish Government to proceed to Stage 2 applications,
- And we await a decision as to whether any of these will receive funding.
EOIs will be assessed on how organisations demonstrate:
- Local needs, local support and community involvement
- Deliverability
- Long-Term Viability
We will also consider how the anticipated outputs and outcomes from the projects will match with the likely objectives of the potential funding. As no funding has been announced at this stage, it isn’t confirmed what these will be but we would expect it could include regeneration and economic outcomes associated with job creation, population growth and retention, community wealth building, environmental improvements and climate change measures.
When considering projects which might be suitable for the Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) Capital Fund, should it be announced in 2026/27, we will also take into account projects put forward by the Steering Group for the Carbon Neutral Island project on Islay. Projects which contribute to the Islay Community Climate Action Plan are strongly advised to discuss their proposals with the Islay CNI steering group.
Local needs, local support and community involvement
You should demonstrate how the project meets local needs, how it is supported by the local community and that there has been a high degree of public involvement in the planning, development and delivery of project. Evidence to support this would include community-led action plans, recent consultation/surveys, user feedback, social media polls, letters of support, newspaper or social media articles, petitions etc.
Deliverability
You should demonstrate the project’s feasibility, readiness and practicality.
Projects must demonstrate that they are viable and can be delivered (i.e. construction started) in either the 2026/27 or 2027/28 financial year as this is likely when funding could be made available.
Points to include:
- Robust and realistic delivery milestones;
- Confirmation of resources within the organisation and any previous experience in delivering similar activity;
- Confirmation of landownership or landowners’ permission in place;
- Planning and other relevant consents in place or being progressed;
- Evidence of match funding or plans to secure, where required;
- Procurement plans in place; and
- Outline any risk assessment that has taken place and how risks are being mitigated.
Long-Term Viability
You should demonstrate how the organisation will maintain the asset/property project and meet any additional running costs post-completion.
Points to include:
- How the organisation will support the long-term maintenance of the new or improved asset;
- Options for future financing, grant support and income/revenue generation;
- Steps taken to ensure the sustainable usage of new infrastructure including on-going contribution to environmental sustainability and carbon reduction;
- How on-going community involvement will be achieved.
Who will see my application
Please read our Data Privacy Notice here: Expression of Interest for Community Project - privacy statement
