Rural Community Local Led Development 2026-2027 Expression of Interest
West Lothian's Rural, Community Led Local Development Fund (RCLLD) is now open for Expressions of Interest ahead of the 2026-2027 grant programme
Please read the information below carefully before submitting an Expression of Interest (EoI). A link to the EoI form can be found at the bottom of this page.
Your EoI will be assessed for eligibility and if successful you will be invited to attend a meeting to discuss your project and sent the full application form.
Funding available:
For 2026-2027 we have circa £121,500 of revenue funding and £37,550 of capital funding available.
For definitions of capital and revenue please see the guidance (link below).
Due to the short-term nature we can only fund staff for time limited projects.
Priorities
The aim of the RCLLD Fund is to deliver community-based activity to meet one or more of the following Scottish Government priorities:
- Eradicating child poverty
- Growing the economy
- Tackling the climate emergency
- High quality and sustainable Public Services
Eligible areas:
Projects based in, or benefitting, rural areas of West Lothian are eligible. Please use the drop downs to check if your area is covered*.
*Please note that this list is taken from the census report and smaller villages may not be listed but are still eligible. If you are unsure about eligibility please contact the co-ordinator.
Eligible applicants:
Organisation and groups eligible to apply include, but are not limited to; CICs, SCIOs, development trusts, community groups, volunteer groups and social enterprises.
- We do not accept applications from unincorporated associations
- We do not accept applications from individuals
- We are not accepting applications from businesses at his time
- Your group/organisation must have a bank account
Dates and Deadlines:
Round 1 | Dates |
|---|---|
Application deadline | 29 April 2026 |
Application assessment date | w/c 11th May 2026 |
Project Award notification by | 25 May 2026 |
Round 2 | Dates |
| Application Deadline | 3 June 2026 |
| Application assessment date | w/c 15 June 2026 |
| Project Award notification by | 26 June 2026 |
Round 3 | Dates |
| Application Deadline | 19 August 2026 |
| Application assessment date | w/c 31 August 2026 |
| Project Award notification by | 4 September 2026 |
Programme Closure |
|
All projects must be completed | 10 March 2027 |
Financial claims must be submitted by | 24 March 2027 |
Guidance:
Please note the guidance will be updated once allocations have been made and dates confirmed.
Apply Now
Expression of Interest - Rural Community Local Led Development 2026-2027
Contact Details
West Lothian RCLLD Co-ordinator: Kat Purser
Email: RCLLD@westlothian.gov.uk
