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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.

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)

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.

The Green Community Grants Programme offers one-year flexible funding for not-for-profit groups in England, Scotland and Wales with an annual income between £10,000 and £1 million.Your organisation's main aims and objectives must fit with one of the two funding themes: - Contributing to nature recovery and responding to the climate emergency- Improving nature-rich spaces and access to themWhilst your organisational aims and objectives should fit one of these two themes, funding can also be used for a wider range of sustainable activities, including recycling, litter picking, beach cleans or sustainable transport.

The Fund is provided by Barrhill Community Interest Company using funds from the Kilgallioch Community Benefit Company and ScottishPower Renewables Mark Hill wind farm. The fund will support positive change by investing in a wide range of inspirational, community-led activity that is strategic, positive and creative and helps create a legacy of lasting impact. The fund will do this by making grants to support the costs of relevant projects, services and facilities.The Fund also makes bursaries to individuals for education and training.

The Inch Cape Construction Fund supports community projects that help tackle the effects of poverty and inequality while improving the environment and supporting sustainability for residents of the Prestonpans or Cockenzie & Port Seton community council areas.The Fund will support charitable activities that contribute to at least one of the following outcomes:- Improving physical and/or mental health and wellbeing.- Reducing isolation or loneliness within the community.- Increasing access to education, learning and employment.- Improving to the local environment.- Reducing food or fuel povertyGrants may support a wide range of costs, such as equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.