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ArtRoots allows communities to make aesthetic improvements to the National Cycle Network (NCN). Sustrans provides grants towards projects that will enhance spaces, aiming to encourage active travel. ArtRoots empowers communities to plan and deliver what they want and how to make it happen. Sustrans Scotland provides funding for projects, and the ArtRoots officer will support them with advice and help where required. The key point to ArtRoots is that the community manages the project and shapes the outcome. Engaging and delivering locally is essential to a successful project. Communities play a crucial role in encouraging active travel and by making areas more enjoyable or interesting to travel through. The grant can cover services provided by external contractors such as, but not limited to artists, designers, construction workers and engineers. Funding project management fees is possible but assessed on a case-by-case basis by Sustrans Scotland. All projects must be delivered, and grants claimed by 15 March 2026.

SSE's network in the north of Scotland will play a leading role in the clean energy transition, connecting and transporting renewable electricity from wind, hydro and marine generation. SSE's Community Benefit Fund will allow a share of the benefits to go directly to those communities hosting this new infrastructure. It aims to kickstart impactful projects or initiatives that will bring meaningful benefits to communities.The fund has two streams:Regional: for projects benefiting communities located within the SSEN Transmission network area. Any successful application must meet one or more of the following themes:- People: Focusing on skills, training and employability; - Place: Emphasising the community and culture of the north of Scotland;- Alleviating fuel poverty: Looking at strategic ways to help people across the region.Local: for projects benefiting communities situated close to SSE infrastructure.

This Fund supports charitable activities or services that benefit people living in the Community Council area of Halkirk & District in Caithness. Projects must meet one of the following purposes:- community facilities- skills and employment- community or local events- sport and recreation- environmental improvements- youth and education- heritage- net zero / emissions reduction- initiativesand/or such other purpose as has first been approved in writing by ScottishPower RenewablesApplications which do not clearly fit with these outcomes but which can show strong community support and evidence of need may be considered where funds allow.Applications should also consider local consultation and procurement, partnership working, and sustainable development.

Local Place Plans offer communities the chance to shape their local area.These are community-led plans that focus on the existing and future use of land and set out proposals for potential developments in the community.A Local Place Plan might consider:- improvements in town and local centres- local initiatives to promote active travel or community food-growing- conservation of the natural and built environments- sites or areas of land which could help - tackle climate-change (such as renewable energy, flood mitigation, or tree planting)- sites for housing development (including affordable housing and housing for particular needs or groups), local employment, or new tourism and community facilities- retaining, improving, and expanding open space, green and blue infrastructure (such as footpaths, water networks, and drainage or flooding measures), and play facilities.Once completed and registered by the planning authority, Local Place Plans will be considered when the Council is preparing a new Local Development Plan.Communities can prepare Local Place Plans at any time but must submit their plan by 31 March 2026 if you would like it to be considered in the preparation of Renfrewshire's new Local Development Plan.The fund can cover costs including:- research- community consultation- professional services, such as planning consultants or graphical support- website or document productionvenue hire.

The Community Led Local Development Fund is an annual grant fund dedicated to improving life for people living in the Scottish Borders. The fund has been running for over 20 years. Themes funded vary each year but always include looking projects related to social and environmental issues.The fund offers grants for projects that are centred around tackling at least one of the following themes:- Net-Zero- Poverty Alleviation- Improved Public Services and Tackling ExclusionAll grants must be spent by 28 February 2027.The decision making panel (Local Action Group) is made up of local residents and organisations and membership is open to all.The LAG particularly encourages applications that advance Net Zero ambitions, support skills development and apprenticeships, strengthen leadership capability, foster partnership working, or deliver mentoring initiatives.

Grants are available for community and environmental projects which address carbon reduction and help progress towards “net zero”. All projects must be located in or be delivered to benefit communities within Keith and the wider Strathisla boundary. Examples of projects that could, therefore, be considered for grants include:- Energy efficiency audits of community buildings and facilities to identify and prioritise important capital improvement works- Costs associated with the above findings. This might include thermal insulation, solar panels and battery storage, ground source heating, double / triple glazing improvements, more efficient heating, micro wind turbines etc…- Educational activities that promote the net zero movement, i.e. costs of school trips to renewable facilities, school or community educational sessions / workshops / events- Training for voluntary / community groups to help reduce their own carbon footprint- Environmental and habitat species conservation which protects and / or enhances a public space (may include tree planting for example).- Electrical vehicle charging point installations, in public locations- Other projects that deliver energy efficiency upgrades such as lighting improvements (i.e. not necessarily in public / community buildings)

The Community Fund was established to ensure local communities benefit from Edinburgh Airport activities. It provides financial support to community groups and charities that are committed to improving the opportunities, facilities and services available to local people.The fund will consider applications from Edinburgh, Falkirk, the Lothians and Fife. Priority will be given to applications which reflect the four pillars of the airport’s Greater Good sustainability strategy - Zero Carbon, Enhancing Scotland, Scotland’s Best Business and Trusted Neighbour.Initiatives could include: - The mitigation against and reduction of the effects of a changing climate.- The reduction of local, negative environmental impacts.- Supporting local biodiversity, rewilding, and/or restoration of the natural world.- The enhancement of local business, community groups and long-term sustainable partnerships in the airport’s surrounding area.- Improving healthy working lives and increase upskilling and employment opportunities for the socially isolated, economically deprived, and/or otherwise disadvantaged persons.- Improving care, expanding opportunity, providing shelter, and enabling rehabilitation of vulnerable groups in the community.- Providing urgent, targeted, local support during the cost-of-living crisis.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has established the Regionwide Community Fund, which is a source of funding open for applications from community groups and projects anywhere in the region.The Fund was launched in 2019 to distribute funding contributed at the discretion of windfarms in the region. It is a source of funding to support applications aimed at: -Fund priorities:-Skills Development-Community-Environment-Culture & Heritage-Community Led Tourism-Affordable Housing-Community Transport-Digital Connectivity-Poverty & Inequalities-Working Towards Net Zero (climate)- Cost of livingThe Fund encourages applicants to support fair work standards where applicable

North Ayrshire's Participatory Budgeting scheme is aimed to provide funding for a group or project to undertake activities that make a difference across three themes: Youth, Locality, and Community Wealth Building. The specific criteria vary for each theme, see Council website for details.Each year, a Participatory Budgeting Event is held in each locality:- Arran - Garnock Valley - Irvine - Kilwinning - North Coast and Cumbraes- Three TownsLocal residents are invited to decide which projects to fund from a short list of applications made by local individuals and groups. They vote for the projects that they believe will most benefit their community and support their local priorities.