CLLD Third Sector Fund | Highland Third Sector Interface

CLLD (Community-Led Local Development) gives rural communities the power to tackle their own local challenges, responding to the needs of their local area and supporting positive change. By building knowledge and skills, supporting new ideas and encouraging cooperation, CLLD helps to create viable and resilient communities.

HTSI are delivering a small grants programme from March 2026, specifically for third sector organisations on behalf of The Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund (CRF). The focus of these short-term non-recurring grants will be reducing child poverty.

Important Dates

Applications open 13 March 2026.

Applications must be received no later than MIDDAY on 27 April 2026.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

We invite applications of up to £10,000 maximum, to operate community-led local projects aimed at achieving one or more of the following outcomes:

Themes

Increase income by supporting parents to gain and sustain employment

Reduce cost of living and maximise income

Deliver whole family support to improve outcomes and wellbeing

Support children and young people to reach their full potential and break the cycle of poverty in the long term

Your project should be completed by the end of February 2027 at the latest, which includes submitting an end of project report to HTSI.

This fund is open for any constituted third sector organisation, charity or community group operating or delivering services in a rural setting within The Highland Council area, excluding projects focusing on communities in Inverness City or Badenoch & Strathspey.

All groups applying must have a bank account and accounts from the previous financial year, which provide evidence of their ability to competently deliver their plans and account for the spend provided through grants.

Applications can be accepted from:

Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIO)
Companies Limited by Guarantee
Trusts
Not-for-profit company or asset locked company or Community Interest Companies (CIC)
Cooperative and Community Benefit Societies
Community councils

Please note that the funding will not be allocated to items that would be considered core costs – these grants are aimed at short-term projects testing new ideas and ways of working to reduce child poverty.

Collaboration

We actively encourage collaborative approaches, and those including organisations from other sectors are not excluded, but a third sector organisation needs to be the accountable and lead member of the collaborative project.

The project lead must be a constituted group or registered charity/community group (businesses and individuals are not eligible for this fund).

Applications must be submitted online using the form provided, showing indicative costs for the proposed project and a summary of how you identified this need and developed your proposed project.

Your project should begin once payment has been received and must be completed by the end of February 2027 at the latest, which includes submitting an end of project report to HTSI.

You should estimate the type of family groups likely to benefit from your project, by selecting from the list below:

Lone parent families

Families with a disabled adult or child
Larger families (3+ children)
Minority ethnic families
Families with a child under 1 year old
Families where the mother is under 25 years old

Applications open 13 March 2026 and your project must be completed by the end of February 2027.

Examples of relevant types of projects:

Increase income by supporting parents to gain and sustain employment.

Childcare brokerage service to assure quality of local childcare services to enable entry or re-entry to the workplace.

Pilot free devices, broadband access, and digital skills support for parents.

Pop-up advice sessions for families to claim entitlements, manage debt, or access emergency financial support.

Reduce cost of living and maximise income.

Free meals and activities for children during school holidays.

Family recipe club – preparing healthy meals on a budget.

Early, holistic, and relationship-based support to improve family wellbeing, and resilience.

Deliver whole family support to improve outcomes and wellbeing.

Project for refugee families, encouraging social connections, improving personal resilience, confidence and wellbeing.

Combine learning support and mentoring aimed at children and young people from low-income families.

Support children and young people to reach their full potential and break the cycle of poverty in the long term.

Removing cost barriers to sports, arts, and cultural activities.

Community run tutoring or homework clubs to reduce attainment gaps and encourage parents' involvement.

Essential Criteria

If you have any doubts or questions regarding the guidelines, we recommend you contact us for clarification. This can help prevent misunderstandings and save time.

Important Dates

Applications open 13 March 2026.

Applications must be received no later than MIDDAY on 27 April 2026.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Guidance on how to complete your application is available here.

Your application will be assessed against the criteria by a panel consisting of representatives from the Community Regeneration Fund, Local Action Group, Poverty Reduction Group, Whole Family Wellbeing Programme and HTSI.

If you have any questions about the Fund, please refer to the FAQs document first. Contact Marion MacNeil at funding@highlandtsi.org.uk.

Application Form

Applications are open from 13/03/26 and will close at Midday 27/04/26.

Application Form