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.
There were three funds for 23-24:
- Main Fund (PDF) [407KB]
- Communities into Action Fund (PDF) [414KB]
- Community Asset Maintenance Fund (PDF) [283KB]
All have closed, please see dates below. ARIA will still be in operation though for 24-25 so please keep abreast of this webpage for updates.
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.
Indicative Key Dates
| Main Fund & Communities into Action Fund | Community Asset Maintenance Fund |
Closing Date for Applications | Midnight, Fri 18th Aug 23 | Midnight, 29th Sept 23 |
Decision Dates | Late Sept 23 | Early-mid Nov 23 |
Grant Award Letters Issued* | Late Sept 23* | Early-mid Nov 23* |
Projects completion, including claims | 28th Feb 24 | |
*Spend should therefore not be planned for before start Oct 23.
ARIA Fund Foundation Documents
ARIA Fund LAG Meetings
The ARIA Fund LAG meets on a regular basis. The minutes for the meetings are available below.
- ARIA Fund LAG Meeting 10th May 2023 (PDF) [326KB]
- ARIA Fund LAG Meeting 22nd March 2023 (PDF) [180KB]
- ARIA Fund LAG Meeting 7th February 2023 (PDF) [216KB]
- ARIA Fund LAG Meeting 2nd November 2022 (PDF) [233KB]
- ARIA Fund LAG Meeting 5th October 2022 (PDF) [135KB]
- ARIA Fund LAG Meeting 24th August 2022 (PDF) [132KB]
- ARIA Fund LAG Meeting 24th August 2022 (PDF) [126KB]