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The Coastal Communities Challenge Fund (CCCF) supports community groups, third sector organisations and small businesses on Aberdeenshire’s coastline and can fund a range of activities with positive economic, social or environmental impacts.This year’s grants will be targeted towards activities or infrastructure which meet the following priorities:- Supporting the development of active travel routes along, to and from the coastline- Developing the coastal economy and sustainable tourism- Creating or enhancing community, leisure and recreational facilities- Safeguarding, restoring or enhancing the coastal environmentThe fund distributes revenues generated by Crown Estate Scotland, with applications being assessed and approved by NESFLAG – the North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group - a cross-sector partnership comprising representatives from Aberdeenshire’s coastal and fishing sectors.Projects approved under this application round must be completed by 30th September 2026.

The "Our Local Nature" Grants are available to fund innovative projects, designed and led by young people in the UK. It aims to empower young people across the UK to take the lead on projects that involve their local nature and natural spaces.The grant is purposefully broad and welcomes novel ideas. Examples of possible proposals include:- running a school festival about nature- painting community murals showcasing biodiversity in the area- building a community garden- creating a nature walk- hiring a speaker to come and talk about local foraging.Adult applicants should develop their proposal alongside young people and the projects should seek to affect change or empower local young people and their surrounding communities to increase access to natural spaces and improve understanding of the local biodiversity.

The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is supporting community and faith organisations to install solar PV and battery storage in their buildings. This is a short-term pilot, funded by the Scottish Government and Great British Energy, with funds needing to be spent and claimed by 31 March 2026.Demand is expected to be high for this funding, with many communities already in a position to mobilise projects very quickly. Funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis. If you are developing a new project, read the guidance and self-assessment checklist carefully and prioritise seeking a quote if you think you are eligible.To be able to install within the pilot timescale, easier installation projects will be more suited to this funding. Therefore, while it is not a requirement, they suggest that the proposed project:- Is not in a conservation area or within the curtilage of a listed building.- Is under 50kW of solar PV.- Is on an easily accessible roof, which is built after 1930s (as the roof will be more likely to meet structural requirements).- Is not part of a more significant building renovation that would increase the risk of programme delays.

The fund covers several communities including Crathes, Durris, Drumoak, Banchory, Finzean, Strachan, Torphins, Lumphanan and Inchmarlo. Priorities include:- supporting participation in sport and arts- promoting the provision of educational activities for people with physical and learning disabilities- encouraging social inclusion, integration and equal opportunities across the community- helping promote sustainable developments within the community.

This Fund supports charitable activities or services that benefit people living in the Community Council area of Halkirk & District in Caithness. The outcomes for the Fund are:- Developing services and facilities.- Sustaining and creating employment.- Increasing skills and knowledge.- Preserving and enhancing or giving better access to culture, heritage and the environment.- Getting around and getting connected.

The Trust awards grants to organisations based in the West of Scotland working to improve recreational facilities for young people, older people and those who are unemployed. The trustees prefer to give towards specific items of equipment or projects and to organised clubs, groups and teams where many will benefit.Previous grantees include Riding for the Disabled, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Girlguiding Renfrewshire and Salvation Army.

The Youth Scotland Rural Action Fund is a Micro Grant fund being supported by The Gannochy Trust. This fund has been created in response to the challenges which rural youth groups are facing in funding the delivery of community based universal youth work. It will make small awards to enable youth groups operating in rural communities to provide more and/or better youth work opportunities for young people.The priority for this fund is to support/enable typical youth work activities that directly benefit young people in rural youth groups.

The Community Grant is open to applications for projects which will benefit the community. Applications can be made from a local group or an individual, as long as the project is community based and within the WATIF area of Woolfords, Auchenbray and Tarbrax. Examples include: Neighbourhood Improvement, Environmental Projects, Events, Entertainment, Activities, Leisure or anything you can demonstrate would benefit the larger community.

This Fund supports charitable activities or services that benefit people living in the Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council area in Caithness.The outcomes for the Fund are:1. Developing services and facilities.2. Sustaining and creating employment.3. Increasing skills and knowledge.4. Giving better access to sport, culture, heritage and the environment.5. Getting around and getting connected.6. Improving Health and Wellbeing for all ages.

The Vattenfall Unlock Our Future Fund supports projects in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire contributing towards a climate smart future. The fund is provided by the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, which is owned and operated by Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Limited, a subsidiary of Vattenfall.The overall purpose of the fund is to support charitable activity that addresses at least three of the following criteria:- contribute to a climate smarter world with sustainability at its core- invest in community facilities and activities that are fit for the future and are environmentally sustainable, especially community spaces and transport- support creative solutions- ensure a legacy and lasting impact, which clearly brings benefit to the local community