Shetland Islands Council's Coastal Communities Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_BB60F53F

Annual Expenditure: £1.6M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1.57 million (2024 allocation from Crown Estate revenues)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months (quarterly panel meetings)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Shetland Islands, Scotland

Contact Details

Address: Shetland Islands Council, Development Directorate, c/o Solarhus, 3 North Ness, Lerwick, ZE1 0LZ

Phone: 01595 744915 or 01595 743828

Email: grants.unit@shetland.gov.uk

Website: https://www.shetland.gov.uk/grants/coastal-communities-fund

Pre-application support: Strongly advised to contact council officers before applying

Overview

The Coastal Communities Fund is administered by Shetland Islands Council and financed from net revenues generated by Scottish Crown Estate assets. Established following the devolution of Crown Estate revenues to coastal local authorities in 2019, the fund received £1.57 million in its most recent allocation. The scheme supports community and economic development of Shetland by investing in infrastructure, community capacity building, and developing community assets while encouraging inclusive growth. Projects must align with Shetland's Partnership Plan 2018-2028, which aims to reduce inequality of outcome across the islands and ensure all residents can thrive in strong, resilient communities. The fund operates on a rolling application basis with quarterly funding panel meetings.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Coastal Communities Fund: £5,000 - £100,000

  • Single-stage application process for grants up to £25,000 (applications due 8 weeks before panel meeting)
  • Two-stage process for grants over £25,000 (Expression of Interest due 3 weeks before panel; full application invited for Stage 2, due 8 weeks before panel)
  • Grants of £50,000 or more require Council approval following panel recommendation
  • Match funding required: Grants cover 75-90% of total project costs
  • Rolling basis with quarterly funding panel meetings

Priority Areas

Projects must demonstrate alignment with Shetland's Partnership Plan 2018-2028 across four priorities:

Place: Shetland as an attractive place to live, work, study and invest

  • Infrastructure development
  • Community asset development
  • Economic growth and job safeguarding

Participation: People influence decisions, services, and use of resources

  • Community capacity building
  • Community development initiatives

People: Individuals and families thrive and reach their full potential

  • Addressing poverty, access and inclusion
  • Tackling disadvantage and inequality
  • Promoting inclusion and poverty reduction

Money: Households can afford a good standard of living

  • Local resilience projects (food supply, connectivity, energy)
  • Carbon reduction and renewable energy initiatives
  • Contributing to net zero agenda

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions were not publicly documented in available sources. Applicants are strongly advised to contact council officers to discuss project eligibility before applying.

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Governance and Leadership

The fund is administered by Shetland Islands Council's Development Directorate. Decisions are made by a funding panel that meets quarterly, with larger grants (£50,000+) requiring additional approval from Shetland Islands Council.

The fund operates within the framework of the Shetland Partnership, which brings together partners across the islands to work toward the shared vision that “Shetland is a place where everyone is able to thrive; living well in strong, resilient communities; and where people and communities are able to help plan and deliver solutions to future challenges.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-application Contact (Strongly Advised)

Contact council officers at grants.unit@shetland.gov.uk or phone 01595 744915 / 01595 743828 before submitting an application.

Step 2: Application Submission

For grants up to £25,000:

  • Single-stage application process
  • Submit application at least 8 weeks before a funding panel meeting

For grants over £25,000:

  • Stage 1: Submit Expression of Interest at least 3 weeks before a panel meeting
  • Stage 2: If invited, submit full application at least 8 weeks before a panel meeting

For grants of £50,000 or more:

  • Follow same process as above
  • Panel recommendation will be presented to Shetland Islands Council for final decision

Decision Timeline

  • Panel meetings: Held quarterly
  • Notification: Applicants learn the outcome shortly after the panel meeting
  • Typical timeline: 3-4 months from submission to decision (varies based on when application is submitted relative to panel meeting schedule)
  • For larger grants (£50,000+): Additional time required for Council approval

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The fund received £1.57 million in its most recent allocation from Crown Estate revenues to distribute across Shetland projects.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Applicants are advised to contact council officers to discuss unsuccessful applications and potential for resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Strong Community Need and Support

  • Show evidence of community consultation
  • Provide options appraisals or business cases
  • Demonstrate how the project addresses identified local needs

Align with Shetland's Partnership Plan Priorities

Projects must clearly demonstrate how they will “drive change for Shetland” and deliver on one or more of the four partnership priorities (Place, Participation, People, Money). Use this language and framework when describing project benefits.

Address Key Themes

Priority consideration for projects that:

  • Address poverty, access, inclusion, disadvantage and inequality
  • Contribute to the net zero agenda through carbon reduction and renewable energy
  • Support local resilience (food supply, connectivity, energy)
  • Build community capacity and support community development

Secure Match Funding

Grants cover 75-90% of project costs. Applicants must demonstrate they can secure the remaining 10-25% through match funding or other sources.

Recent Funded Projects

  • Brae Rural Energy Hub: Awarded £97,287 to provide practical energy advice, electric vehicle charging, co-working spaces, and e-bike hire within the Brae Youth and Community Centre
  • Papa Stour History and Community Group: Awarded nearly £100,000 for a kirk development project to upgrade the island's church for community use as a visitor centre and music venue
  • Fair Isle to Unst projects: Multiple projects across Shetland's islands have been supported by the fund

Engage Early with Officers

The fund strongly advises contacting council officers before applying. This pre-application engagement is critical for understanding eligibility, refining proposals, and ensuring alignment with funding priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Contact officers first: Pre-application engagement is strongly advised and can significantly improve your chances of success by ensuring your project aligns with fund priorities
  • Match the Partnership Plan framework: Structure your application around the four priorities (Place, Participation, People, Money) and use this language to demonstrate strategic alignment
  • Secure match funding early: Plan for 10-25% match funding requirement and have this secured or identified before applying
  • Plan for timelines: With quarterly panel meetings and 8-week submission deadlines, plan at least 3-4 months ahead for decision timelines
  • Scale matters for process: Understand that the application process differs significantly at the £25,000 and £50,000 thresholds, affecting both procedure and timeline
  • Demonstrate community backing: Strong evidence of community consultation, need, and support is essential for successful applications
  • Prioritize net zero and resilience: Projects addressing carbon reduction, renewable energy, and local resilience (food, connectivity, energy) receive priority consideration

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