This service is managed by Enterprise and Economic Growth
Community development funding
We administer several funding programmes to support community-led projects across Orkney. Whether you're looking to improve a community facility, develop a heritage asset, support young people, or build capacity in your organisation, there may be a fund that can help.
Community-Led Local Development (CLLD)
The 2026/27 funding round is now closed. The next round is expected to open in spring 2027 - please get in touch if you have a project idea you'd like to develop in the meantime.
The CLLD fund is an annual grant from the Scottish Government, supporting locally driven community projects across Orkney. It replaced the previous LEADER programme and is overseen by the Orkney Local Action Group (LAG) - a volunteer-led body representing communities, businesses, and organisations across the islands.
Projects supported have included:
- community facility improvements
- land and building acquisitions
- wellbeing and recreational projects
- Place Plans and community action plans
- capacity building and governance improvements
- expert project support
In 2026/27, Orkney received £305,595.93 from the Scottish Government - comprising £50,070.33 capital and £255,525.60 revenue. The full capital allocation was made available for community projects, with revenue funding distributed between revenue projects, Place Plans, and administration costs.
You can apply if you are an Orkney-based constituted community or voluntary not-for-profit organisation with a registered bank account. You cannot apply if you are an individual, sole trader, organisation outside Orkney, religious or political organisation, or private business.
Funding priorities
Show
Hide
Funding priorities
Show HideCapital projects should demonstrate clear community support and contribute to Community Wealth Building. Priority areas include:
- community groups acquiring or upgrading land and buildings to become operational
- projects identified in local place plans, development plans, or action plans
- wellbeing and recreational projects
- building resilience in sectoral community groups
Revenue funding priorities include:
- Place Plans - helping communities shape future planning decisions and identify priorities
- expert support or project management to move a project toward delivery
- governance, financial management, and capacity building within community groups
- food growing projects and resilience
- tourism, heritage, creative, and festival groups developing new offers
- networking between community groups and public sector partners
- primary sectors transitioning to new Scottish Government and UK requirements
Contact the CLLD team
Related resources
-
CLLD Expression of Interest form
This document contains an expression of interest form for Orkney’s 2025/26 Community Led Local Development funding. It asks organisations for project details, costs and descriptions, and whether their work supports priorities such as public services, climate action, child poverty or economic growth. Funding may support capital projects, community facilities, wellbeing, Place Plans, expert help, group development, networking and rural sectors. Forms should be returned to CLLD@orkney.gov.uk by 5pm on 4 April 2025.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
CLLD projects
This document contains Community Led Local Development (CLLD) grant allocations for 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27. It lists applicants, project costs, CLLD funding, match funding and short summaries of projects across Orkney. Funding supports community facilities, sports, heritage, young people, wellbeing, agriculture, local planning, environmental projects and island development.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Our Islands info sheets
This document contains an overview of Orkney’s 10 development trusts and the community projects they deliver across the islands and Stromness. It explains how local people are supporting housing, jobs, transport, wellbeing, renewable energy, heritage, tourism and community facilities. Examples include affordable homes, cafés, youth centres, care services, wind turbines, restored historic buildings and community transport. Between April 2018 and March 2024, the trusts secured more than £10.8 million in funding and supported 87 jobs.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
OIC Crown Estate Community-Led Development Fund (CECLDF)
The current allocation is fully committed. The next allocation is expected to be confirmed by the end of June 2026, with the programme reopening for expressions of interest later in 2026.
The CECLDF reinvests income generated by Crown Estate marine leases in Orkney waters - covering seabed rights for aquaculture, cables, and renewables - back into community-led projects across the islands.
Projects supported have included:
- community infrastructure and assets
- local economic development and job creation
- tackling poverty and inequality
- decarbonisation and renewable energy
- food supply and connectivity resilience
- skills development and learning
- sustainable tourism
- heritage, festivals, and cultural events
- coastal environment projects
- projects supporting young people (0-30 years)
Grants are available as follows:
- Young people's projects (0-30 years): £100 to £3,000, up to 100% of eligible costs
- Feasibility and development: £1,000 to £25,000, up to 50% of eligible costs
- Delivery projects: £1,000 to £50,000, up to 50% of eligible costs
In 2025/26, the total funding allocation was £332,956.39, split between revenue and capital projects, the Youth Local Action Group, and administration.
Funding priorities
Show
Hide
Funding priorities
Show HideProjects should align with the Orkney Community Plan 2025-30 and Council Plan 2023-28, with particular focus on:
- Community Wealth Building and sustainable local economic growth
- net zero and decarbonisation
- reducing poverty and inequality
- food supply and connectivity resilience
- young people's facilities, services, and opportunities (0-30 years)
- coastal environment protection and enhancement
Contact the CECLDF team
Related resources
-
CECLDF projects
This document contains Crown Estate community grant allocations for Orkney during 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26. It lists applicants, project costs, grant funding, match funding and summaries of projects supporting community facilities, heritage, sport, culture, young people, transport and the environment. The grants include improvements to playparks, museums, historic buildings, sports facilities, community spaces and local services.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
CECLDF Expression of Interest form
This document contains an expression of interest form for the Orkney Islands Council Crown Estate Community Led Development Fund 2025/26. It asks for organisation, contact and project details, estimated costs and funding, and a short project description. Applicants must show how their work supports local priorities such as sustainable development, reducing poverty, equality, stronger communities, economic growth or improved infrastructure. The form also includes sections for Council staff to assess eligibility and record follow-up actions.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
CECLDF projects
This document contains Crown Estate community grant allocations for Orkney during 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26. It lists applicants, project costs, grant funding, match funding and summaries of projects supporting community facilities, heritage, sport, culture, young people, transport and the environment. The grants include improvements to playparks, museums, historic buildings, sports facilities, community spaces and local services.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Community Development Fund (CDF)
We have supported community-led projects across Orkney through the CDF since 1999. You can apply if you are a formally constituted community group, including community councils, development trusts, community associations, and heritage societies.
Projects supported have included:
- community facility improvements and upgrades
- heritage and cultural projects
- community capacity building
- local events and festivals
- environmental projects
Grant assistance is available at a rate of 50%, up to a maximum of £100,000, towards projects with capital costs of at least £5,000. If you are looking to fund a social enterprise-type project, we encourage you to explore CLLD, CECLDF, and HIE funding before applying to the CDF. Get in touch before you apply to discuss your project.
Contact the CDF team
Related resources
-
CDF guidance
This document contains guidance for the 2023 Community Development Fund, including who can apply and which community projects may qualify. It explains funding limits, match funding, project costs, evidence needed and how applications are assessed. It also covers property rules, deadlines, grant conditions, reporting requirements and how successful applicants must acknowledge Council support.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Youth Local Action Group (YLAG)
The YLAG puts funding decisions directly in the hands of young people. A group of volunteers under 35 assesses applications and distributes a dedicated pot of funding to projects benefiting children and young people across Orkney.
Archaeological Fund
Financial assistance is available to support archaeological projects through an annual grant scheme. The grant is intended to help organisations and groups undertake archaeological work that contributes to the understanding, protection and appreciation of the area’s archaeological heritage.
Applications are considered annually at the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee meeting and must be submitted before the end of November each year.
A total of £40,000 is available through the scheme each year. In accordance with Council policy, 50% of the annual fund is reserved for archaeological work in the Outer Isles. This means that at least £20,000 of the available annual funding is allocated to projects taking place in the Outer Isles.
Key dates
- Application deadline: End of November each year
- Applications considered: January Development Committee meeting
- Annual funding available: £40,000
- Outer Isles allocation: 50% of the annual fund (£20,000)