Ayrshire Rural and Islands Ambition (ARIA) Fund

The Ayrshire Rural and Islands Ambition (ARIA) Fund is part of the Scottish Government's Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme. It is led by the ARIA Local Action Group (LAG), a group of representatives from the local area so its decision making is bottom up. It is administered by South Ayrshire Council.

The ARIA Main Fund and Community Asset Maintenance Fund (CAM) is now open for expressions of interest.

Please fill out our online form here: Expressions Of Interest - ARIA - Ayrshire Rural & Islands Ambition Fund

Indicative Key Dates

	Main Fund	Community Asset Maintenance Fund
Expressions for Interest Open	20^th April 2026	20th April 2026
Expressions for Interest Close	22^nd May 2026
Closing Date for Applications	Midnight, 23^rd June 2026
Decision Dates	Late August 2026	Rolling from late August 2026
Grant Award Letters Issued	Early September 2025	Rolling from early September 2026
Projects completion, including claims	21^st February 2027	21^st February 2027

Below are the guidance notes for both funds:

Eligible Area

Rural Ayrshire & the islands of Arran & Cumbrae, defined in the eligible area map. Potential applicants should use the finder tool in the top right of the map to check for project eligibility. Organisations do not have to fall in the eligible area if their project does.