Funding which helped launch South Ayrshire alpaca trek experience is open to applicants

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A funding programme which catapulted a unique alpaca trek experience in the stunning South Ayrshire countryside has launched for its second year and is open to applicants.The Ayrshire Rural and Islands Ambition (ARIA) Fund is exclusive to rural Ayrshire, and the islands of Arran and Cumbrae, and boasts £450,000 to allocate to eligible projects.Family-run business Little Peru, who offer alpaca trekking and eco glamping pods on their site in Crosshill, near Maybole, was awarded ARIA funding last year.Owner Robin Kelly - who runs Little Peru with wife Claire Louise, their four kids and of course their four friendly alpacas Santiago, Pedro, Diego and Javier - said the fund helped the family make their dream a reality.Robin said: “The ARIA application process was supportive and transparent.“It made us hone and reflect on our core business values and bring our vision to life.“The funding and guidance from ARIA have provided the springboard for our business to grow and prosper.”ARIA is running three funds for 2023/24: ARIA Main Fund, ARIA Communities into Action Fund and ARIA Community Asset Maintenance Fund.The ARIA Main Fund is open to community groups/third sector organisations, businesses, and farms- any organisation with up to 249 employees.

Funding can be used for a wide range of projects, including technical or feasibility studies to facilitate a future project, training, event costs, marketing, staff costs, volunteer costs and running costs.The ARIA Communities into Action Fund is open to community groups and third sector organisations.

It allows such groups to implement actions in community action plans or similar, refresh community actions plans or develop community action plans from scratch.Funding can used for a