Explore funding, guidance and support to help you take ownership of land and buildings, develop local assets and create lasting benefits for your community.
Information and guidance to help communities understand and use their rights under the Community Empowerment Act.
Funding of up to £5,000 is available to help communities investigate ownership, register interest and apply to purchase land and buildings.
Grants of up to £2,000 are available through the Community Assets Knowledge Exchange programme to support training and learning experiences related to owning land or buildings.
Funding to help community organisations acquire and develop land, buildings and other assets.
Access practical guidance, tools and information to help your community explore opportunities, develop projects and make informed decisions about future development.
Explore funding and support to help build leadership capability, strengthen resilience and support long-term community development.
Access to advice, expertise, workshops and funding to help organisations develop new products and services, improve processes and explore new opportunities.
Free online training for island communities, tourism organisations and local businesses looking to develop sustainable, community-led tourism projects and visitor experiences.
A national service delivered by Zero Waste Scotland, providing advice and support to help organisations improve resource efficiency, reduce waste and lower environmental impact.
Access up to £5,000 towards specialist technology advice and mentoring to evaluate opportunities, improve business performance and make informed technology investment decisions.
Access up to £25,000 to develop and implement technology solutions that improve products, services, processes and digital capabilities, helping your organisation work smarter and grow.
Funding of up to £10,000 is available to help organisations research, test and develop early-stage digital or technology-led products, services and processes.
Explore upcoming events and webinars.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, in this online workshop you'll learn how to influence tourism planning and build effective local partnerships.
Explore how to strengthen your island as a destination by addressing local tourism challenges, enhancing visitor experiences and identifying community-led opportunities.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about what makes our islands special and how to bring that to life for visitors.
Part of the Islands Community Tourism Learning and Networking Programme, this online session is about identifying the markets that best align with values, assets and community capacity.
Discover how communities across the Highlands and Islands have used HIE's support to create lasting change. From taking ownership of local assets to developing projects that strengthen their communities, explore real stories and the impact they've made.
Community-led development adding value to a local Orkney community
Shetland's Scalloway Community Development Company is delivering projects that improve local facilities, support the economy and help create a resilient future for the village.
Community ambition is creating a new future for a 5,000-year-old archaeological site in Orkney
The impacts of community land ownership on the local economy
Find out what can be achieved when community is at the heart of local development
Find out how the community has developed a scheme with environmental and community benefits.
Soirbheas, a registered charity, work to strengthen and support the communities of Glen Urquhart and Strathglass, through revenues from local renewable energy schemes.
Community-led development at the heart of social and economic progress.
The Sandwick community in Shetland has delivered a variety of projects which allow locals and tourists alike to share in the culture and heritage of their area.
South West Mull & Iona Development was set up in 2010 to help this remote part of Scotland reach its full potential by consulting with the community and focussing on areas of improvement.
How community-led wind energy is growing the biodiversity of the Outer Hebrides.
Celebrating 10 years of community-led development
You may also be interested in support to improve productivity, build skills, grow sales, become more resilient or strengthen your community.
Explore programmes, funding and specialist support to help develop ideas, create new products and services, adopt technology and find better ways of working.
Access expert advice, funding and practical support to improve efficiency, adopt technology and strengthen business performance.
Access advice, expertise and support to find new customers, enter new markets and grow sales.
Find funding, advice and practical support to reduce environmental impact, improve efficiency and build resilience for the future.
Access leadership development, workforce support and practical resources to build skills, strengthen teams and create a more effective workplace.
From community ownership and land purchase to asset development and local projects, find answers to common questions about the support, funding and expertise available to help your community succeed.
Support is available for communities exploring the ownership, lease or management of land and assets. This may include funding, specialist advice, guidance on community ownership processes and access to expertise that can help communities assess opportunities and develop proposals.
HIE has extensive experience supporting community ownership and asset development across the Highlands and Islands. We can help communities explore opportunities, understand the options available, access relevant support and learn from projects that have successfully completed similar journeys. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss how we can help you.
Support may be available for a wide range of projects, including land ownership, community facilities, local services, tourism projects, renewable energy developments and other initiatives that deliver lasting community benefit. Explore our case studies for examples of community development projects we've supported.
Funding may be available to help communities explore ownership opportunities, purchase land or assets, and develop projects that create long-term social, economic and environmental benefits. Please get in touch is you would like to discuss a specific project and explore how we can help.
Yes. Communities are encouraged to seek advice and explore options at an early stage, even if plans are still developing. Early discussions can help identify opportunities, challenges and the most appropriate forms of support.
Support is available to help communities connect with peers, access knowledge-sharing opportunities and learn from the experiences of others who have successfully delivered community ownership and asset development projects.
Support isn't limited to purchasing an asset. Advice, training, networking opportunities and specialist expertise may also be available to help communities develop projects, strengthen governance, build skills and maximise long-term benefits.
Yes. Communities often need leadership, governance, financial planning and project management skills to deliver successful projects. Support may be available to help communities build the confidence and capability needed for long-term success.
Yes. Community ownership can help communities create local employment, improve facilities and services, develop tourism opportunities, support sustainability goals and create long-term benefits for local people.
No. Many successful community projects begin with a local idea and a desire to make a positive difference. Support is available to help communities understand the process, develop plans and build the skills and knowledge needed to move forward. Contact us to discuss your project.
If you’re not sure what support is right for you, or can’t find what you need, get in touch with our team and we’ll help point you in the right direction.
