Nineteen community projects across Argyll and Bute have received a share of £504,000 from the Scottish Government's Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) Fund.
The fund supports communities to deliver projects aimed at four key priorities:
- Eradicating child poverty
- Growing the economy
- Tackling the climate emergency
- Improving public services
The successful projects cover a wide range of priorities and initiatives. They range from antenatal and postnatal support, support for carers, agricultural management and marine conservation.
Several projects focus on feasibility studies, plans, and design development that will pave the way for future investment and project delivery, creating a strong and sustainable legacy for communities across Argyll and Bute for years to come. These include a community-owned church on Ulva, a potential bunkhouse on Coll, and initial planning to revitalise a derelict boatyard in Tarbert.
Argyll and the Islands Local Action Group (LAG) oversee delivery of the fund, while Argyll and Bute Council acts as the accountable body responsible for administering the funding programme.
The nineteen successful projects are:
| Organisation | Project | Amount awarded |
| South Islay Development | Sonas Childcare | £19,977.55 |
| Live Argyll Community Learning | Bute Outdoor Learning and Wellbeing Partnership | £38,050.96 |
| Home Start Lorn | Early Beginnings: A Comprehensive Antenatal and Postnatal Support Programme | £24,067.11 |
| Tarbert Harbour Authority | Consultancy Service for Redevelopment of Derelict Boatyard | £24,014.03 |
| Marine Conservation Society | Innovative community solutions to the oyster supply crisis | £29,745.02 |
| Development Coll | Isle of Coll Community Transport Feasibility Study | £8,298.66 |
| The GRAB Trust | LORI Renewals and Expansion | £40,000.00 |
| Development Coll | Improvements to An Cridhe Community Centre and Coll Bunkhouse Feasibility and Design Study | £25,993.30 |
| Bendoran Watersports | Future Proofing Wellbeing and Watersports in SW Mull and Iona | £16,815.05 |
| Rosneath Peninsula West Coast Development Trust | Craigrownie Park Community Recreation Hub – Detailed Design | £35,000.00 |
| Dalavich Improvement Group | Planning & Design Phase for Dalavich Community Jetty Project | £25,151.62 |
| North West Mull Community Woodland Company | Reviving Ulva Church: Next Phase | £35,000.00 |
| Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust | INSPIRE – Phase 1 | £40,480.00 |
| Deafblind Scotland | Touching More Lives | £18,020.96 |
| An Tobar and Mull Theatre | An Tobar and Mull Theatre: Staff Housing Feasibility Study and Design | £17,054.02 |
| Dochas Carers Centre | TimeforUs: Creative Respite & Meaningful Activity Service | £35,469.31 |
| Animal Care Tiree | Sentinel for establishing worm drench resistance in sheep on Coll and Tiree | £26,990.86 |
| Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust | Echoes to Action: Learning from past events to inform our future climate choices | £15,000.00 |
| Helensburgh and Lomond Carers | Argyll and Bute Carer Connect | £29,131.30 |
Councillor Jim Lynch said: “It’s great to see nineteen community groups benefit from this year’s Community Led Local Development Fund. By supporting communities to identify and address their own priorities, the fund helps develop skills, unlock new ideas and bring people together. These projects will make a real difference locally and contribute to building stronger, more sustainable and resilient communities across Argyll and Bute. I’m pleased to see such a diverse range of initiatives supported and wish each project every success.”
Alicja Newbrook, Chair of Argyll and the Islands Local Action Group: “This year’s CLLD awards recognise the early, often unseen work that communities need to get good ideas off the ground – the feasibility studies, design work, planning and expert advice that turn ambition into something deliverable. It may not always be the most visible part of a project, but this groundwork is often what gives communities the confidence, evidence and momentum to attract further investment and make lasting change happen.”
The Local Action Group includes representatives from local public bodies, charities, third sector organisations and other people with local expertise and knowledge and has been working for over 20 years to help support economic development in Argyll and Bute. If you or your organisation would be interested in joining the LAG to shape funding in future, contact CLLD@argyll-bute.gov.uk
