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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.

The Charitable Foundation supports registered charities based in the UK where there is clear benefit to the recipients, particularly in areas near the Society's Principal Office or one of its branches. They prefer to support specific tangible items or activities rather than donating to general funds.Consideration will be given to charities whose objectives are to help people experiencing hardship and/or underserved groups to access a place to call home and/or improve financial wellbeing.If your charity's mission meets one or more of the target outcomes, the Foundation will consider funding core costs, project costs and small capital contributions, for example:- Staff salaries or hiring additional team members.- Overhead expenses such as rent or utilities.- Scaling up successful programmes or developing new ones.- Investing in infrastructure or technology to improve operations.- Daily essentials such as pots, pans and white goods for people who have secured a permanent place to call home.- Aids such as a ramp/stairlift in a community centre removing any barriers for local people.- Books or resources which support financial education.- Laptops or online systems used to deliver digital competence sessions.

The Auchrobert Wind Farm Community Fund supports community projects benefitting those living in Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill and Boghead. The fund is provided by Renantis, the owners of Auchrobert Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire. The fund provides grants to support a wide range of community activity and development that are broadly charitable. All projects must clearly be benefitting those who live within the area of benefit.Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example, the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities and more.

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.

Provides funding to community and charitable projects in Carronbridge, Closeburn, Durisdeer, Johnstone, Kirkonnel & Kelloholm, Kirkmichael, Kirkpatrick Juxta, Moffat & District, Royal Burgh of Sanquhar & District, Thornhill, Wamphray and Wanlockhead Community Council areas. The amounts available for distribution vary, depending on each area's previous funding commitments with some areas already full committed. Check the Foundation Scotland website for which areas are open.Grants are available to legally-constituted community groups, non-profit organisations and registered charities supporting projects which: - enhance quality of life for local residents- promote community spirit and bring people together- foster vibrant, sustainable communities.Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered, such as equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.

The fund is a long-term fund for the Plains community and will be available for the operating life time of the Greengairs East wind farm which is expected to be about 30 years. The Fund will support charitable activities that contribute to at least one of the following:- Improved physical and/or mental health and wellbeing- Reduced isolation or loneliness within the community- Increased access to education, learning and employment- Improvements to the local environment- Reduced food or fuel povertyGrants may support a wide range of costs, such as equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.

The Watten Windfarm Charitable Trust, formed in partnership between Watten Community Council and Foundation Scotland, has been set up to allow funds from different companies or donors, pledged for the benefit of the Watten community, to be managed in an efficient and effective way.The Trust provides grants to support charitable activities that: - Encourage community activity, promote community spirit, and increase opportunities for socialising- Improve the ability of groups/organisations to meet local priorities- Improve telephone and broadband connections- Provide or improve access to, and enjoyment of, the local environment- Provide or improve opportunities for people to develop as individuals, make connections and improve their life chances.- Provide or improve sports and recreational facilities or activities.- Encourage economic activity within the Fund area.