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The Vattenfall Unlock Our Future Fund supports projects in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire contributing towards a climate smart future. For an application to be ‘climate smart’ the project should directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2 either through saving energy and/ or renewable generation.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 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

The Pride in Place Impact Fund is a UK Government funding initiative delivered by local authorities. The fund should be used to target areas in need, with the aim of building strong, resilient, prosperous, and inclusive communities. Applications are invited for projects that will focus on one or both of the following two themes:Environmental projects that are:- Community-led- In collaboration with a local Housing Association(s)- Focussed on, or connected to, a Transformational Regeneration Area (although applications for other areas will also be considered)ORFood system projects that:- Demonstrably improve the development of sustainable provision of healthy and locally sourced food; and/or- Focus on town centres and identified food deserts

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.

Funds are given for a variety of projects which benefit residents within the Stirling Council area and help to develop vibrant, resilient communities. The Community Grant Scheme supports projects which benefit residents within Stirling Council area, whether within a single community or widely across Stirling Council area, or which benefit communities of interest (including hobby/sports groups). Projects must meet Stirling Council priorities, a list of which can be found in the fund guidance notes.The funds must be spent within 12 months of award and will pay for a wide range of projects including:- Start up costs (including first year running costs)- One off capital or equipment costs- Community events, activities or performances- Provision of training courses- Advertising an event or work- Environmental improvements

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 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.

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 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.