On 18 March, Aileen Campbell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government announced an investment of £350 million to support local communities and households in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The investment comprises a range of funds to be delivered using a combination of approaches, to ensure resource is mobilised quickly to the places and people where it is needed.
These funds include the Supporting Communities Fund which has been established with an initial £10 million investment and is being targeted through community anchor organisations. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is distributing the funds on behalf of the Scottish Government to community anchor organisations within the Highlands and Islands.
HIE invited Mull and Iona Community Trust, South West Mull and Iona Development, North West Mull Community Woodland Company and Tobermory Harbour Association to submit a joint bid to the Supporting Communities Fund on behalf of the communities of Mull, Iona and Ulva. We decided to invite Iona Village Hall Community Trust to help with this to ensure that Iona has local representation in administering the fund.
HIE has awarded a grant of £50,000 to support activities like:
- Provision of essential supplies and medication to the communities of Mull, Iona and Ulva
- Provision of online and digital measures to combat isolation and loneliness
- Provision of measures to combat fuel and food poverty
- Provision of PPE
The Fund is open to any constituted community group within Mull, Iona and Ulva that has a bank account in its own name requiring 2 or more signatories. If you are not a constituted group and do not have a bank account, you could still apply under the umbrella of another constituted group. E.G. your local village hall committee, MICT, NWMCWC, THA, IVHCT or SWMID. You will need to agree with the other group before submitting your application.
For more details download the Guidance notes and application form here:
