Support for rural community-led organisations

The Support for Communities Framework (SfC) is designed to boost local organisations in rural locations by helping to create economic and social growth, employment opportunities and sustainable practices.

Through the framework, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has access to external experts who can support community-led organisations to develop and deliver projects. The framework offers a streamlined, flexible and efficient way for community-led organisations to request support.

SfC offers a range of practical support, not just advice. It does this because community-led organisations can often lack the capacity, or a particular skill set, to fully develop opportunities or projects.

The framework helps to deliver the necessary support but ensures that organisations retain ownership of the project and increase their skills and knowledge by working with the specialist at hand.

The Support for Communities Framework can help if you run, or participate in, a community-led organisation based in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The framework can support clearly defined, time-specific pieces of work that require an identifiable skill set. The average timescale of support for a particular assignment is between 5 to 10 days - exceptions to this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

There is generally no direct cost to the organisation accessing the Support for Communities Framework. However, in some cases organisations may be asked to make a small contribution towards the overall costs of the project.

The service is for any community-led organisation based in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Submit an enquiry and an adviser will be in touch to discuss your needs.