FORTY-TWO projects across Dumfries and Galloway are celebrating a share of £524,891 from the latest round of the Community Led Local Development Fund.
The Scottish Government programme supports projects that will make a real difference to people and places across the region. This round’s awards range from food larders and carers’ groups to heating upgrades, digital inclusion and a new Changing Places facility.
Food security and poverty are a major focus. Funding will support community larders, food banks, holiday meal clubs and hot meal deliveries in Stranraer, Castle Douglas, Dumfries, the Machars and beyond. Newstart Recycle will add staff capacity to respond faster to local crisis needs, while SHAX will expand its distribution hubs so people in remote areas can reach essential starter packs. Citizens Advice will extend face-to-face services in Kelloholm and Sanquhar.
Barbour Memorial Hall and Carsluith Village Hall will benefit from energy-efficient heating and insulation. Building Futures Galloway will fit a new insulated roof to its joinery workshop. Repair and reuse projects run by Include Us and The Furniture Project will help people cut waste and save money. Auchencairn’s community growing project will expand, and Wigtown and Bladnoch Community Initiative will develop an affordable, energy-efficient home.
Projects will help veterans train as HGV drivers, provide 20 refurbished laptops through the IT Centre in Castle Douglas, and offer one-to-one support and volunteering for young people aged 15 to 25. Supported work placements in hospitality and new instructor posts at Stranraer Water Sports Association will also open up employment pathways.
Further funding will help communities plan and care for the places that matter to them. The Veterans Garden Dumfries will carry out a feasibility survey for new accessible glasshouses. Whithorn Trust will digitise more than 52,000 archaeological artefacts. Other awards will support the Brig Inn community hub, Dumfries market canopies, the new 3G facility at Threave Rovers, a manager for Heathhall Community Centre and the Moffat Eagle Festival.
This year’s programme backs projects that:
- Help community facilities and organisations contribute towards net zero goals.
- Strengthen rural communities that are isolated, disconnected, under-invested, or facing inequality.
- Support people and families through the cost-of-living crisis and help tackle poverty.
- Enable communities to carry out research, needs assessments, and feasibility studies to support local place plans.
Home-Start Wigtownshire receives £6,112 for its Mums in Mind Health and Wellbeing Group.
Claire McKie, Senior Coordinator, said the funding enables the organisation to provide two dedicated groups for mums and female carers across rural Wigtownshire.
“Mums and female carers can face significant challenges in prioritising their own health and wellbeing, particularly when rurality, isolation and caring responsibilities create additional barriers to accessing support,” she said.
“A key part of our project is providing transport for mums who live in more isolated rural areas, ensuring that distance and lack of access to transport don’t prevent them from taking part. The groups create a safe, welcoming space where women can come together, build connections, access meaningful wellbeing support and, importantly, take time for themselves. The groups are giving mums the opportunity to connect with others, feel supported, build confidence and make their own wellbeing a priority, while creating lasting friendships and stronger connections within their local communities.”
The Furniture Project (Stranraer) will use its £28,216 for a Community Eco Teacher in its Reuse, Sustainability and Skills for Life project.
Donna McKeand, Programme Manager, said the fund’s support will help the project educate and inspire people across the local community about the environmental and social benefits of reuse.
“By providing practical learning opportunities, we can encourage more sustainable behaviours, reduce waste, and empower individuals to play an active role in creating a greener future,” she added.
In Langholm, The Eskdale Foundation will install a fully accessible Changing Places facility with £19,531 of funding.
Trustee Ronnie Tait said: “This project is extremely important particularly as there is no provision of such a facility on the A7 from Carlisle until Galashiels. Building this facility means it will be included on a map of Changing Places Toilets and therefore people will be more able to plan journeys knowing there is such a provision. There is also the added benefit that knowing such a facility exists people will be able to travel and not be restricted.”
Horses4Help will be able to put on a six-week Equi-Learning Course (ASDAN Accredited) with £9,600.
Julie Irvine, director, said the course would provide local people with a unique opportunity to learn and develop in a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment, providing a learning opportunity that recognised individual strengths, built self-belief and supported positive next steps.
“Working alongside our ponies through practical, non-ridden activities offers a very different approach to traditional learning. The programme helps participants build confidence, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills while developing a sense of achievement and recognising their own abilities and potential,” she said.
“For some of the people we support, traditional learning environments or routes into education, employment and the wider community can be challenging. This funding allows us to offer an alternative, meaningful learning experience here in Dumfries and Galloway, helping participants develop skills that can transfer into everyday life and their next steps.”
The fund is administered by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, with funding decisions made by a Local Action Group (LAG) representing the third, public, and private sectors.
Click here for the full list of successful applicants from round five.