Highland Coastal Communities Fund

Support for coastal areas

The Highland Coastal Communities Fund (HCCF) supports economic regeneration and sustainable development in coastal areas across Highland. The fund is derived from net revenue generated by the Crown Estate’s marine assets in Scotland. Each year, the Scottish Government allocates a share of these profits to local authorities.

Projects should also demonstrate:

  • sustainability and viability
  • value for money
  • additionality
  • local support
  • positive impacts

Who can apply

Applications are welcomed from:

  • constituted community groups
  • local authorities or other public sector bodies
  • charities
  • voluntary groups and social enterprises
  • co-operatives and community ownership initiatives
  • development trusts

Application process

The Highland Coastal Communities Fund sits underneath the Community Regeneration Fund umbrella. Historically, Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) was primarily accessed through open calls for projects. These often led to oversubscription, causing disappointment and frustration among applicants. As CRF moves away from open calls, the first resource to help us prioritise funding will be the BeConnected map.

Decision-makers will use this map to identify eligible projects in their area and consider which best align with the fund’s outcomes. Those invited to progress will receive feedback and be asked to submit an Expression of Interest, outlining their project’s current development stage and key details. Expressions of Interest will then be assessed and presented to decision-making groups, which will select projects to proceed to a full application.

Find out more about Community Regeneration Funding

Download the Highland Coastal Communities Fund 2021/22 Review

Page last modified: 22 April 2026