Details

The ARIA Fund empowers local communities to address their unique challenges. As part of the Scottish Government's Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme, ARIA operates through a bottom-up decision-making process, with funding priorities and project selections determined by representatives from the local area who form the Local Action Group (LAG).

There are 2 funds: the Main Fund, and Community Asset Maintenance Fund.

Main Fund: Projects must demonstrate fit with at least one of the ARIA Fund priorities. These include:

• Community Wealth Building
• Quality of Life
• Community Led Tourism (CLT)
• Enterprise
• Net Zero

Community Asset Maintenance Fund: The Community Asset Maintenance Fund supports the production of a property condition register (also known as a repairs register). This assesses the internal and external condition of the building and includes a costed schedule of repairs alongside a proposed maintenance plan with indicative dates for periodic upkeep (e.g., external decoration, gutter clearance, etc.). ARIA also offers a £2,000 a sinking fund to help finance repairs.

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Geographical areas funded: South Ayrshire

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Capital

Fund award sizes

Minimum:

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Maximum:

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Annually awarded:

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Notes on award amounts:

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Who can apply

• Community groups and third sector organisations with a constitution or legal incorporation. [Groups without this status may still apply through a constituted or incorporated parent/sponsor organisation. In such cases, financial details (e.g. accounts and bank information) must be provided by the parent organisation.]
• Businesses
• Farms (for non-agricultural activities, diversification projects only)
• Organisations of up to 49 FTE employees.

Organisations must be based in Rural Ayrshire & the islands of Arran & Cumbrae. There is a finder tool on the Council website to check your eligbility.

See separate eligibility criteria for Community Asset Maintenance Fund.

When to apply

Now open to expressions of interest. Closes on 11th June 2025 (for decision mid-September 2025).

Next deadline: 11 Jun 2025

How to apply

Complete the expression of interest form in the first instance. This is available online via the Council website.

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Exclusions

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Activites funded: Community development and regeneration Environment Organisational development and capacity building Energy Climate action

Beneficiaries funded: Rural communities Local communities

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Last reviewed 7 days ago