Rural Direct - Helping you to help your community

Rural Direct provides advice and practical assistance to help groups in rural communities access a range of funding opportunities to develop their communities. The service builds upon the success of the Crofting Community Development Scheme which ran from 2001 to 2006 and which was recognised as a successful model of how capacity can be built in rural communities, helping over 250 groups undertake over 800 projects and access over £30 million investment from both public and private sources. While the Crofters Commission will be focusing on groups in the Highlands and Islands we look forward to working in partnership with our Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) colleagues in order to maximize the effectiveness of Rural Direct across the whole of rural Scotland.

New funding opportunities are opening up for Scotland’s rural communities, and the Scottish Government is supporting the Rural Direct service to help you make the most of them.

Whether you’re still figuring out what your community needs or searching for the final piece of the funding jigsaw for a local project, we can offer information and assistance to make life easier for you.  View the Rural Direct leaflet here.

Whether you’re looking to refurbish your village hall, develop new local amenities and services, or work out a long term plan for your community’s future development, funding is available to help you.

The new Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) offers great opportunities for communities through its Rural Priorities and LEADER funding programmes. And there are plenty of other funders out there too, including charitable trusts, the Big Lottery and local authorities.  You can view the SRDP website here.

Rural Direct won’t apply for funding on your behalf, but will do everything we can to make sure you make the best possible funding applications to the appropriate funders – and get the best possible results for your community.