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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.

Spindrift believes that thriving communities are built on access to good food, a healthy natural environment, and the knowledge and skills to sustain both. The fund will support projects that focus on strengthening local food systems, nature recovery, and climate resilience. Projects should be able to clearly demonstrate its impact on the community and meet at least one of the following priorities:- Enabling access to affordable and nutritious food. - Providing opportunities to grow food locally.- Promoting education and employment opportunities around growing food. cooking and healthy eating.- Providing environmental education. - Improving local biodiversity, nature restoration, and/or climate resilience.- Supporting access for all, to local natural environments. You can apply for project and core costs.

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 Area Committee has a small budget which can be used to 'top up' other funding sources in cases where otherwise there would be inadequate funding to allow something to happen. They will favour projects which respond to local needs and show clear evidence of community economic development and emerged from, or take cognisance of: - Community Action Plans- Settlement Plans- Town Centre First approach- The Local Community Plan: Strong Communities, Wellbeing and Connecting People- Local Place Plans- Community Empowerment Act, in support of the assembly of for example business plans or feasibility studiesPlease note that this fund is for projects taking place with the Kincardine and Mearns area only. See the website for full criteria.

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 Denny & District Community Fund is a charitable fund to benefit residents of the areas served by the Denny & District Community Council in the Falkirk Council area. The Fund has been established with community benefit provided by Falck Renewables, the owner of the Earlsburn Wind Farm and Falkirk Todhill Wind Ltd, the owner of the Todhill Wind Farm. The Fund supports a range of community-led activity that will:- enhance quality of life for local residents- contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities- promote community spirit and encourage community activity. Applications are particularly welcome from established groups that are looking to develop or enhance the service they provide, or new groups providing new opportunities that will address one of the three priorities listed above.

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 Blackford Community Fund is a charitable fund to benefit residents of the Blackford Community Council area in Perth & Kinross local authority. The Fund has been created with a donation by Ochil Developments (the developer of the G West development near Blackford) to Blackford Community Council, and community benefit funds provided by EDF Power Solutions, owner of the Burnfoot Hill, Burnfoot North and Rhodders wind farms. The Fund is intended to be a lasting resource for the community of Blackford.The Fund's purpose is to support community groups and charities working in the Blackford Community Council area, providing grants for activities which:- Bring people together to build a sense of community- Celebrate and develop Blackford's musical and cultural heritage- Help older residents to stay connected- Improve the look and feel of the villageThe fund can support a wide variety of groups and projects. Applications that will benefit older residents of the community are particularly welcome.

The Maintenance Fund supports groups managing areas within the Galson Estate Trust area, whether that is grazings committees or cemetery committees carrying out minor maintenance works such as grass cutting, gate repairs, installing stiles or signage.Previously funded projects include Ness Cemetery grass cutting, gate replacement at Knockaird Quarry and installation of a gate on Cross Common Grazing. This is only available for works that are ineligible for funding from The Crofting Agricultural Grants (Scotland) Scheme (CAGS)