Rural areas and island fund opens for applications

A fund exclusively for rural Ayrshire and the islands has been launched and is now open for applications.

 

The Ayrshire Rural and Islands Ambition (ARIA) Fund will accept applications to mid-August and has around £450,000 to allocate for 2023/24.

 

Fund co-ordinator Angela Lamont said: “We are operating a number of funding streams this year so there should be something for everyone. Important to us is capacity building so you will see resources focussed on supporting applicants.”

 

Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for green environment and economy at North Ayrshire Council, urged groups and individuals to check if they could benefit from ARIA.

 

He said: “The fund is open to a wide range of applicants, such as individuals, businesses, charities and community groups.

 

“We know that there will be many people across Ayrshire with projects they wish to get off the ground so please check it out to see if ARIA funding might benefit your initiative.”

 

This will be the second year of ARIA funding, following on from its success last year.

 

Previous applicants Adam Jack, from Jack’s Alt Stays in Millport, said: “We’re so thankful to the ARIA Fund for helping us install solar panels and batteries at our tourist accommodation in Millport.

 

“Creating our own green energy was a big ambition, but limited financial resources as a start-up made this unfeasible.

 

“Thanks to support from ARIA we’re already seeing the amazing environmental and economic impact which will yield benefits for many years to come.”

 

Further information about ARIA and how to apply can be found at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/ariafund

 

 

 

Aria funding has helped cousins Daniel Jack and Adam Jack of Jack’s Alt Stays to install sustainable solar panels at their accommodation on the Isle of Cumbrae.No_B26ARIA01_23_Jacks_Alt_Stays