OIC Crown Estate Community Led Development Fund (OIC CECLDF)
The OIC Crown Estate Community Led Development Fund (OIC CECLDF) is administered by Orkney Islands Council and financed from net revenues generated by Scottish Crown Estate. The grant scheme is designed to mobilise change and deliver positive outcomes for Orkney and its communities. The scheme seeks to support the community and community economic development of Orkney by investing in infrastructure, community capacity building, and developing community assets and encouraging inclusive community growth – that is, growth which combines improved wellbeing with greater equality, creates opportunities for all, and distributes the benefits of increased prosperity fairly. The scheme also aims to encourage regeneration of Orkney’s communities by supporting projects that safeguard sustainable community economic growth and jobs, promote inclusion, contribute towards poverty reduction and safeguard, restore or enhance the coastal environment.
Funding 2025/26 – OIC CECLDF
Expressions of Interest Now Open
OIC Estate Community Led Development Fund (OIC CECLDF) is now open for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) until Monday 24 November 2025.
If your project is eligible, you will then be invited to submit a full application. Key dates are as follows:
- Draft applications due: Between 3 December 2025 and 14 January 2026
- Final application deadline: Wednesday 18 February 2026
- Local Action Group assessment meeting: Planned for mid-April 2026, with decisions communicated shortly afterward.
Funding Allocation
The funding allocation for this round will be confirmed in due course. At present, we anticipate a level similar to the previous allocation of £247,270.48, though this is still to be finalised.
We encourage organisations to submit EOIs now, so that a pipeline of projects is ready to proceed once the allocation is confirmed.
How to Apply
The Expression of Interest Form and Guidance Notes are available under the Related Downloads section of this web page.
The scheme can support projects which align with the following funding priorities:
Orkney Partnership Priorities – Orkney’s Community Plan 2023-30 (and any subsequent approved Orkney Community Planning Partnership Plan):
Sustainable Development:
- Support and promote Community Wealth Building in Orkney
- Make progress towards Orkney’s target for Net Zero emissions by 2045
Cost of Living:
- Tackling the underlying causes of poverty
- Reduce child and fuel poverty
- Promote food dignity
- Ensure a wider understanding of poverty and its prevention.
- Reduce persistent poverty in Orkney
Local Equality:
- Reduce and eliminate the gender pay gap.
- Understand and resolve place-based equality and inclusion issues across Orkney
- Early intervention to prevent individual disadvantage and inequality.
The Council Plan 2023-2028 – Strategic Priority Themes – (and any subsequent approved Council Plan):
- Growing Our Economy - We will reduce poverty and disadvantage and minimise the effects of the cost-of-living crisis. We will create favourable conditions for sustainable economic growth. We will work towards becoming net zero.
- Strengthening Our Communities – We will support communities to develop local solutions and deliver what is important to them. We will establish the highest standards of public support and protection. We will widen access to opportunities for better learning, achievement and wellbeing.
- Developing Our Infrastructure – We will invest in homes, supporting choice, inclusion and economic growth. We will remove barriers to digital connectivity and vital transport. We will invest in projects that further our economic ambitions.
Funding may be used to help with the following:
- Developing and regenerating Orkney communities including infrastructure and assets.
- Creating and safeguarding sustainable community economic growth and jobs.
- Providing communities with the means and opportunity to address issues of poverty, disadvantage and inequality.
- Contributing to net zero agenda through community assets decarbonisation and renewable energy, building in greater resilience.
- Supporting communities to develop projects which promote and develop local resilience and inclusion in areas, for example, food supply and connectivity.
- Supporting community capacity building and community development.
- Supporting opportunities for community skills development and learning experiences.
- Adding value to Orkney’s economy through collective community body efforts including supporting promotion, developing new offers, and improving resilience/sustainability.
- Developing sustainable community tourism.
- Supporting strategic community events, for example, heritage/festivals infrastructure/development.
- Safeguarding, restoring, enhancing or interpretating the coastal environment all across Orkney by the Community.
- Empowering, supporting, developing, participation & networking of young people (0-30 years) and their facilities/services/opportunities within the community.
How much can you apply for?
The scheme can support Young People’s (0-30 years) projects as follows:
- Up to 100% eligible costs, although match funding will be more favourably viewed.
- Grants between £100 and £3,000.
- Total annual funding pot £10,000.
Revenue and/or capital projects as follows:
Feasibility/design/development grants
- Up to 50% eligible costs
- Grants between £1,000 and £25,000
Delivery grants
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Grants between £1,000 and £50,000
- The grant can be spread over more than one financial year
For further information about the scheme, please read the OIC CECLDF guidance document.
Upcoming Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) Funding Round
The next round of Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding is expected to open in spring 2026, pending confirmation of allocation from the Scottish Government.
It is anticipated that the LAG will accept expressions of interest from community groups between late March and early April 2026. Eligible applicants will then be invited to submit a full application by the end of April, with the first assessment meeting likely to take place in May 2026.
Further details and updated guidance will be published on the CLLD web page when available.
