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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.

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 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 fund provides organisations with financial help to organise events and activities for residents in their area. Depending on the criteria, funds may be awarded for:- improving the appearance of the area- attracting people into the area- positively raising the profile of the area- promoting awareness of the area- contributing to a larger scale project with a longer term goalThe criteria for each area can be found on the Council website.

The overall purpose of the Communities and Cultural Heritage Fund is to support community-led planning and development in the National Park that will help communities meet their aspirations and enhance community resilience. This is a partnership fund between the Cairngorms Trust and the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA).The Fund aims to support two of the themes in the Community Action Plan (CAP):- A culturally vibrant community – projects that support and celebrate the unique identity and heritage of communities e.g. community spaces, features, buildings, people, traditions.- A socially connected community – projects that support communities to be happy, healthy, accessible and inclusive e.g. improving facilities, amenities, spaces, events and housing.Project spend must be complete and claimed by 10 February 2027.

The Climate Ready Places Grant is to enable your community to consider what the impacts from these climatic changes and extreme weather will look like in your local area and to identify ideas for how you prepare to respond to them. The Climate Ready Places Grant will enable your group to host a workshop, which can be facilitated by the Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub and which will look at how your community can prepare for a changing climate. The workshop will gather observed local insights, consider the list of climate impacts from Adaptation Scotland and map this information onto a plan of your area. From the insights gathered at your workshop, your group can use the Community Climate Adaptation Routemap to identify climate actions and future projects and prioritise a climate action project to begin and which is funded through this grant. All activity including the workshop and the climate action project must be completed by 31st March 2026.

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

The Standard Innovation Voucher scheme encourages new collaborations between a Scottish organisation and a university or college.It aims to make collaborative work accessible to all Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), sole traders, social enterprises and third sector organisations and is open to applications from all industry sectors.There are two types of Standard Innovation Voucher:- Product/Process/Service Innovation Voucher: to support the development of a new product, process, or service for their company.- Workplace Innovation Voucher: to develop the company’s internal workforce, including new or enhanced workplace processes, innovative workplace practices, or innovative business expertise. This does not include staff CPD or to finance any external training courses.

The Foundation was established by the family of Sir Robert McAlpine and gives grants to support small charities situated throughout the UK that fall within specific categories:- Children- Social- Elderly- Youth- Medical ResearchThey particularly like to support projects where funding can make a real difference.

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.