What is the Youth Scotland Rural Active fund?
The Youth Scotland Rural Activate Fund is a small grant fund supported by sportscotland 2026 Summer of Sport. This fund was created to allow young people in Youth Scotland’s rural member groups to have increased access to safe, fun, inclusive, sport and physical activity opportunities and to be supported on to pathways beyond their youth group.
Funds can be used for activities which create safe, fun and inclusive opportunities for young people to participate in sport and physical activities within their youth groups and to build links with local sports clubs, community sports hubs and other sport and physical activity providers. Youth Scotland will work with successful groups to map local provision, make connections with their local Community Sports Hub Officer and support young people to access progression pathways. Activities can start in late Summer 2026 and continue through to end March 2027.
Examples might include:
- Taster sessions or holiday programmes of inclusive sport and physical activities tailored to local needs and interests
- Regular weekly activities
We have a limited amount of funds (£40,000) and will be allocating approx. 20 grants of max £2,000. Priority will be given to rural member groups who are supporting a broad range of young people including young people impacted by poverty/young carers/ care experienced young people/young people with additional support needs.
The maximum amount per award is £2,000.
Supported by: sportscotland 2026 Summer of Sport
Who can apply?
Youth Scotland member youth groups which:
- Are based in rural areas of Scotland;
- Can demonstrate that they support a range of young people including young people impacted by poverty/young carers/ care experienced young people/ young people with additional support needs;
- Work with young people aged between 5 and 25 years old;
- Want to increase opportunities for their young people to engage in quality, intentional sport and physical activity;
- Are willing to work with Youth Scotland to map local sport and physical provision, make connections with their local Community Sport Hub Officer and support; young people to progress on to pathways beyond the youth group;
- Are applying for up to £2,000. No match funding is required;
When is the application deadline?
Monday 3 August 2026.
What happens after you apply?
Once we have received your application, we will review it to make sure all the information we need is included. Applications will be considered by a Grants Panel and we aim to let applicants know whether you have been successful by 10 August 2026.
Funds need to be spent and your activities completed by 31 March 27. Your End of Project Report will need to be completed following the end of your project.
How do I apply?
The easiest way to apply is to click the Apply Now button at the bottom of this page. That will take you to our grants platform, where you can complete an application, saving as you go, if time is limited. This is the fastest way to apply. You can also download the guidance form on this page.