Search

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.

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative raises capital from the public to place solar panel installations on City of Edinburgh Council buildings (schools, leisure centres and other council owned buildings). As well as paying annual returns to investors, they allocate part of their profits to community causes that benefit the people of Edinburgh.Priorities are:a) Environment/sustainability educationb) Environmental improvements to buildings used by communitiesc) Health, well-being and inclusion (for example community gardens, healthy eating programmes, or improved access to facilities for people with additional mobility needs) d) Initiatives that address fuel povertyThey have a particular focus on:- Children and young people- Older people (55+)- The environment and sustainability- Outdoor education- Sports clubsVisit the Fund website for full details and guidelines.

From January, community organisations based near eligible electricity transmission infrastructure projects will be able to apply for local and grassroots grants to deliver initiatives supporting local communities. If your community is based within one of the eligible areas, you will be able to apply for upskilling events and tailored sorkshops that can help your community build capacity and explore bespoke solutions to local challenges.Applicants will be asked to align their projects with at least one of the following themes:- Strengthening financial resilience and educational inclusion- Supporting employability and skills development- Promoting wellbeing, active lifestyles, social and digital inclusion- Improving community spaces and buildings- Enhancing green spaces and access to nature- Sustainable and inclusive transport

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.

The association exists to provide funding for projects or activities run by individuals or groups for the benefit of people in or linked to Leith.The Trust aims to support the following objectives in Leith and the surrounding area:- The relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage- The advancement of citizenship or community development- The advancement of environmental protection or improvement- The advancement of education- The provision of recreational facilities with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intendedPrevious grantees cover a range of areas and include Citadel Arts Group, North Edinburgh Dementia Care, Pilmeny Youth Project and Penumbra.

The fund provides grants to support charitable activities in Moorfoot that:- Enhance quality of life for local residents.- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities.- Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.Grants 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, and so on.

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.