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The SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration are organised and delivered by SURF in partnership with the Scottish Government.The purpose of the SURF Awards process is:- To recognise and reward best practice in communityregeneration;- To promote and disseminate best practice acrossScotland as means of sharing knowledge and experience, and thereby enhancing future policy and practice;- To highlight the important role that regeneration projects have in improving the wellbeing of individuals and communities.There are five categories of entry in the2026 SURF Awards:- Improving Scotland’s Places- Housing and Regeneration- Creative Regeneration- Removing Barriers to Employability- Community Led Regeneration

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.

Grants will be made for applications that benefit people in the Community by advancing community development by supporting local environmental, educational, amenity or other initiatives in the area.Funds applications which benefit the residents of the Community Council areas of Abbey St Bathans, Bonkyl & Preston, Duns, Gavinton, Fogo & Preston, and Lammermuir.

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)

The Royal Countryside Fund provides grants for projects from across the UK which are working to create resilient rural communities. This fund will support community-led projects that are pursuing innovative and strategic solutions to the challenges facing their rural area and improving the long-term viability and resilience of their community. Successful applicants will deliver projects along the themes of:- Keeping young people in the countryside- Powering up rural communities- Increasing environmental sustainability- Building emergency resilience in rural areasSuccessful projects will demonstrate how they are addressing one of more of the following objectives:- Working towards a long-term vision- Facilitating connectedness and collaboration - Demonstrating innovationThe fund has paused the current grant programme and won’t be accepting applications in the coming months. They are planning to launch a new, reshaped grant programme in the autumn.The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF) provides grants for projects across the UK which are working to create resilient rural communities. The fund supports community-led projects that are pursuing innovative and strategic solutions to the challenges facing their rural area and improving the long-term viability and resilience of their community. To stay informed, sign up to the RCF newsletter on their [website](https://www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/rural-champion-award/) or follow on social media: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/countrysidefund/); Instagram; [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/theroyalcountrysidefund/).

The Inverclyde Windfarm Fund is a 10-year grant scheme partnership between Inverclyde Renewables LLP and Inverclyde Community Fund. It provides grants for community groups and voluntary organisations to progress projects within their local communities. The Fund must be used to provide funding or grants to projects which support and promote at least one of the following causes:- Environmental- Renewable Energy- Energy Efficiency- Sustainable Development- Charitable- Educational- Community- Sport and Recreation- General community amenity schemes

The Renewable Energy Fund is a fund set up and administered by East Ayrshire Council to distribute developer contributions from Wind Farm developments within East Ayrshire.There are currently four operational wind farms making a contribution to the Renewable Energy Fund:- Afton wind farm- Galawhistle wind farm- Hare Hill wind farm extensions- Whitelee wind farmThe grants are intended to offer support to provide or maintain cultural, social, welfare, recreational or sporting facilities or to promote these activities. The grants are also provided to assist community-based projects that are in the interests of the community or the environment.