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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 purpose of the Trust is to hold and distribute funds for charitable purposes as set out in the Trusts governing. These include: - the prevention or relief of poverty- the advancement of education- the advancement of religion- the advancement of health- the saving of lives- the advancement of citizenship or community development- the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science- the provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended- the advancement of environmental protection or improvement- the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage- the advancement of animal welfare.Previous grantees have included Aberlour Child Care Trust, Chest Heart and Stroke (Scotland), Fife Young Carers, Pitlochry Theatre, and RNLI (Anstruther).

Community-focused or charitable activities which:- Sustains and develops the local community- Represents value for money – evidence that the project has a high impact for the amount of grant- Shows community involvement – evidence that the community is engaged in the development and implementation of the project - Is financially viable – evidence that the project will be maintained beyond the period of grant funding (if applicable)Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered, for example equipment costs, consultations, maintenance, or refurbishment of community facilities etc.All 18 community councils are allocated funds from the Viking Community Fund on a share basis. The areas hosting the wind turbines are allocated 5 shares and all others are allocated a single share:The five-share areas are Delting, Nesting and Lunnasting, Sandsting and Aithsting and Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale. Single share areas are Bressay, Burra and Trondra, Dunrossness, Fetlar, Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh, Lerwick, Northmaven, Sandness and Walls, Sandwick, Scalloway, Skerries, Unst, Whalsay and Yell.Applicants applying to a specific community council area should complete a Tier 1 or Tier 2 application.For applicants whose projects cover more than three community council areas, complete a Tier 3 application.

The priorities for the Dumfries and Galloway CLLD grant funding for 2026-27 are:- Supporting community facilities and eligible organisations to contribute to the achievement of net zero.- Sustaining, improving and adding initiatives in rural communities that are most isolated, most disconnected, most in need of investment or most likely to experience inequalities.- Helping communities to address the cost-of-living crisis and eradicate poverty for individuals and families.- Enabling communities to carry out research, community needs assessments and feasibility studies as part of local place plan development.Organisations can make one application per project and there is no limit to the number of applications they can make. Applications can be made for 100% of the eligible project costs.Projects must take place between August 2026 and March 2027.

Falkirk Council is inviting applications from third sector organisations for funding to deliver innovative, person-centered, and test of concept projects that prevent homelessness, promote rapid rehousing, and support tenancy sustainment across the Falkirk area. The fund will support trauma informed, innovative, practical, and person-centred projects that address the key challenges faced by people on low incomes at risk of homelessness, are homeless, moving on from temporary and supported accommodation to transition into permanent accommodation as smoothly and as quickly as possible. Ensuring that they are equipped with skills, tools and confidence to maintain tenancies, make a house a home and integrate into their local communities.Applicants may choose to deliver one or more of the following priority themes or propose their own ideas aligned to the Key Focus Areas:- Move-On Garden Support Project - Move-On Decorating Support Project - Small Goods to Make a House a Home Project - Youth Homelessness Prevention Project The funding will cover activity from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027.

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.

The Visitor Infrastructure Improvement Programme funding helps support locations across the National Park to welcome visitors, as well as addressing potential impacts of visitors on communities and popular sites.The Visitor Infrastructure Improvement Fund is available to help plan and install appropriate visitor infrastructure in the National Park. Projects must deliver one or more of the following objectives: - Reduce potential conflicts between residents and visitors and / or between different recreational activities.- Promote collaboration across land management and organisational boundaries.- Help provide better opportunities for everyone to enjoy the National Park so the visitor profile is more diverse, especially with regards to people who are disabled.- Deliver improvements at identified sites across all areas of the National Park, or improvements that address specific issues that are identified in the Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Plan or Active Cairngorms Action Plan.All projects must be completed, and the grant claimed by 31 March 2027.

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which is the organiser of the annual Enchanted Forest and light show in Pitlochry, supports a wide range of community projects in Highland Perthshire.This year the are actively seeking applicants who can use the funds to:1. Help the people in need with the cost of living crisis in the Highland Perthshire area.2. Help with battling child poverty and focus on child welfare.3. Increase inclusion, enablement, independence, mental health and wellbeing.4. Increase access to employment, volunteering, learning, culture, sport, and leisure opportunities.5. Improve infrastructure that benefits the community.6. Promote sustainability through best practices.

The Co-op Local Community Fund gives money to local causes, helping to bring people together and make a difference. They give preference to projects run by small, local organisations that make a real difference to people in their community.You can apply if your project supports People or our Planet in the following ways.They're looking for projects that:- enable people to access food- create opportunities for young people- improve people’s mental wellbeing- promote community cohesion- build sustainable futures.They’re also keen to support projects that promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion.