Community Regeneration Funding

Project Successes

We manage external funding programs to help community groups secure support for projects that meet local needs and drive positive change.

We have highlighted some projects from our latest Community Led Local Development (CLLD) round, a Highland-wide fund for rural areas. 52 projects were given funding, all of which addressed issues affecting rural Highland communities.

This CLLD round achieved a Social Return on Investment of £3.46.

Social Return on Investment estimates how much social value is returned for every £1 of funding.

Projects spent £1,410,888.71 of CLLD funding and an additional £334,771 in match funding. This resulted in a total social value of £6,065,874.

Nairn Community and Arts Centre

Phase two of the Environment and Energy Sustainability project

Nairn Community and Arts Centre is a key organisation at the heart of the community, playing a vital role in many people’s daily lives. This project supports the group in achieving a more sustainable future.

The CRF funding was used to upgrade the heating system with Wi-Fi-enabled radiator valves for better control. The group installed three destratification units, which work by pushing warm air back down, reducing heating needs. They also added sensors that detect the presence of movement and switch on or off depending on movement.

This project is a big step towards net zero, cutting fossil fuel use and lowering utility costs for the centre.

Social Return on Investment: £6.04. This is a great outcome for the local community.

Find out more about Nairn Community and Arts Centre

Portree and Braes Community Trust

Helipad

Since 2016, Portree and Braes Community Trust has maintained the Portree helipad, the only one serving emergency services in the North of the island. The trust maintains the facility on a voluntary basis for the health and well-being of the community.

Recent works were identified to bring the helipad back to standard and ensure it is fully fit for purpose for the next 5 to 10 years. The project involved fencing, lighting, painting, and electrical repairs at the helipad site.

This project addresses needs highlighted in several local place plans, ensuring that those living in rural communities on Skye have fair and accessible access to healthcare.

Social Return on Investment: £1.82

Find out more about Portree and Braes Community Trust

Assynt Development Trust

Clashnessie Falls Footpath

This project focused on reinstating and improving access to Clashnessie Falls, a local beauty hotspot popular with visitors of the NC500. The works involved hiring a footpath contractor to upgrade the path to a wide, mountain-style footpath using locally sourced materials for drainage and surfacing.

The new path will help reduce emissions from damaged peat, which has been worsened by bad weather and walkers. It also provides safe access to the falls for everyone, supporting growing tourism in the Highlands.

Social Return on Investment: £1.97

Find out more about Assynt Development Trust