Communities Fund - session six resources

This document contains a summary of responses from 11 panel members to a survey about developing the Cairngorms 2030 Communities Fund. The survey aimed to gather views on key elements to inform future discussions. There was broad agreement that repeat applications should be allowed if they genuinely benefit the community, but opinions were split on whether match funding should be required, with some seeing it as a potential barrier for under-resourced applicants. Respondents defined meaningful community benefit as projects with lasting impact that align with Cairngorms 2030 themes and agreed that geographical spread is important to ensure all communities across the Cairngorms National Park can access funding. Views varied on the future role of panel members, with many wanting to remain involved, while others suggested rotation to bring fresh perspectives. Decision-making priorities include community impact, legacy, equity, and having a proportionate, accessible application and reporting process. Ultimately, success for the fund would mean widespread benefit, diverse projects, and encouraging more people to apply, while avoiding overly complex rules or a lack of support that might deter applicants.