Great news for youth groups in rural communities across Scotland
The Rural Action Fund is officially back, offering funding to support your projects and ideas. Supported by The Gannochy Trust, the Rural Action Fund is here to help you enhance your community-based youth work and create more opportunities for young people. Whether you’ve got a new idea you want to try or you need a little extra support to make an existing project bigger and better, the Rural Action Fund is here for you.
Who Can Apply?
If your youth group is based in a rural area and is a Youth Scotland member, you’re eligible to apply for funding between £100 and £750. We’re looking to support groups that work with young people aged 5-25, have fewer than two full-time staff and are working in areas where youth services are limited. If you want to try something new or increase your capacity, we’ve got your back!
Deadlines You Need to Know About: The first deadline is Friday, 4 April 2025 and there’s a second deadline on Friday, 2 May 2025, depending on availability of funds. The sooner you apply, the better!
What’s Covered by the Fund?
The Rural Action Fund is here to support a wide range of projects. Whether you need new equipment, funding for a special event, or help covering staff costs for a youth activity, this fund is flexible. The fund can help with things like IT equipment, travel costs, and even hiring specialist tutors for art, sports, or any other creative project your group might be working on.
What Can’t We Fund?
While we want to support as many groups as possible, there are a few things we can’t fund. For example, we’re unable to cover salary costs for existing staff, or support groups that are not members of Youth Scotland. We also can’t fund building upgrades, like new toilets, or projects happening outside of Scotland. If your group is already getting funding directly from The Gannochy Trust, please check with us before you apply.
How to Apply: It’s easy to apply! Just download the guidance pack—including the questions we will ask you—and submit it through our online form by the deadline. We’ll review your application and aim to let you know if you’ve been successful within six weeks.
Ready to Apply?
Don’t wait—this fund can help turn your ideas into reality! If you meet the criteria, apply now and make your project happen.