In 2020 we launched the Sustainable Communities Fund, aimed at supporting local regeneration and sustainable development. To date, we have provided a total of £1.8m to successful applicants.
The fund is split into two separate grant streams: Community Capacity Grants and Environment Grants.
The latest round of funding is currently open to expressions of interest. More information can be found here.
One of the early projects which we supported through an Environment Grant was an effort to manage watercourses and create hedgerows on the Applegirth Estate - one of four rural estates managed by Crown Estate Scotland. The £20,000 grant enabled our farming tenant, Andrew Jardine, (pictured) to support greater biodiversity on the land he farms.
In 2023 'The Ridge' received a grant of £50,000 from Crown Estate Scotland's Community Capacity Grants fund. This money will help the coastal community of the Dunbar-based training charity to support more young people to learn new skills and gain employment in construction trades.
Other successful projects supported by the fund include:
Community Capacity Grants
- £29,000 to develop the Aros waterfront in Tobermory as a hub for community well-being, marine and coastal outdoor activities, and educational opportunities
- £33,000 to explore the feasibility of a community-owned seaweed farm in the coastal community of Scourie, Sutherland
- £47,000 to tackle depopulation affecting the island population and CES tenants in Arran, through provision of housing for key workers and young professionals
Environment Grants
- £12,846 to set up a Community Orchard within Three Hares Community Woodland on our Whitehill Estate
- £19,975 to control invasive non-native species and improve water quality affecting salmon fisheries on the River Devon
- £19,281 to map and restore 1000m2 of seagrass meadow in Loch Craignish