The Cairngorms Youth Action Team's Youth LAG (Local Action Group) Fund was co-designed by eight young people from the National Park, all aged 16 to 30. The Fund is open to applications from people under 30 and to those who work directly with young people.

The Cairngorms Youth Action Team was created in 2018 to provide young people with a voice in the Cairngorms National Park. Since that point, a group of engaged volunteers have been working with the Park Authority and the Cairngorms Trust to create positive change. This includes giving young people more power to make decisions in the National Park, which is where the Youth LAG Fund comes in.

The fund was designed to help turn young people’s ideas about living, learning and working in the National Park into reality, tackling key issues and creating positive change in their local communities.

What will it fund?

The fund will support projects and activities that meet some or all of the following priorities:

Sustainability, biodiversity and addressing the climate emergency
Skills development
Inter-generational projects
Art, creativity and culture
Nature connection
Fun, health, happiness and wellbeing
Building community, networks and interactions between people
Inclusion and under-represented groups

How much is the fund worth?

In 2025-26, the Cairngorms Youth Local Action Group Fund has made £15,000 available to support individuals and groups. Individuals can apply for up to £500 and groups can apply for up to £2,000.

There is an additional £5,000 available for capital projects. Groups can apply for up to £2,000 to purchase large capital items or complete capital works.

What are the key dates?

15 September 2025 - fund open for applications
15 October 2025 - fund closed for applications
9 November 2025 - meeting to decide who receives funding
22 March 2026 - all capital projects must be completed
1 November 2026 - all revenue projects must be completed

For more information check out the Cairngorms Trust website.

Get in touch

If you have read the above and think you have a project that meets the criteria, or would like to discuss your project in more detail, email [email protected]

Fund delivered by the Cairngorms Trust