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In recognition of the important role businesses have in delivering key services and supporting the sustainability of our communities, the LAG are piloting a grant scheme aimed specifically at small island businesses which, through their core business or a specific activity, will contribute to the LAG’s stated aims and priorities. The funding is predominantly for revenue expenditure, although a small capital element is available. Applications must support the LAG’s mission of responding directly to local needs, delivering action and taking cognisance of local culture. Your business’s core purpose or the specific project that funding is being requested for must also align closely with at least one of the LAG’s current funding priorities, which are:- Community Wealth Building (including addressing the causes and impacts of poverty);- Dùthchas and Dualchas with a focus on identifying new approaches that can lead to economic benefits;- Mitigating Climate Change and working towards Net Zero;- Connectivity and efficient & sustainable Transport; and- Supporting Children and Young People.Applicants are strongly encouraged to also demonstrate:- community support and/or that they address an identified community need, e.g. through alignment with community plans;- a collaborative and inclusive approach, e.g. through inter-island or cross-community working;- that CLLD funds will have an immediate, demonstrable impact, supporting their business plan and sustainable development; and- that there will be a direct benefit to young people (up to and including the age of 30).

ArtRoots offers grants to enable communities to produce art projects along their local, traffic-free [National Cycle Network](https://www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/national-cycle-network/) routes.Community-led art projects can enhance neighbourhoods and encourage more people to explore their local areas by walking, wheeling and cycling.ArtRoots inspires communities to shape their local environment by making traffic-free routes more attractive and accessible for everyone.The fund also supports projects led by organisations and individuals who can demonstrate strong community involvement, consultation and engagement.Previous ArtRoots-supported projects include:- Temporary installations- Performances and events- Sculptures- Heritage signs- Information boards- Murals.A successful ArtRoots project will:- Put the power of creative change into the hands of the community- Raise awareness of local traffic-free National Cycle Network routes for everyone to use- Demonstrate strong knowledge of the local area and what artistic contribution could make the best improvement to the environment- Make traffic-free National Cycle Network routes more enjoyable and attractive places to explore- Encourage and build confidence in local communities to use active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) to visit or experience the project.

The fund provides support for strategic projects in Perthshire with the following outcomes: - Creating opportunities: Create opportunities for education and employment through activities that develop skills and improve an individual’s chance of entering the workplace.- Empowering communities: Empower communities to become more resilient through measures which demonstrate long-term social, environmental or economic improvements. - Sustainable places: Stimulate meaningful regeneration to improve or enhance local infrastructure, landscape, biodiversity or heritage and make a lasting difference to the places we live, work and visit. In addition, all applications are expected to consider and demonstrate how their project supports the following overarching ambitions of the Fund Panel: - How the project will help the region in its journey towards a net zero future. For example, by improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, or delivering services in a way that reduces or removes the use of fossil fuels. - How the project will build the knowledge, skills and experience that the third sector needs to support a sustainable region. For example, by developing and enhancing social enterprises, improving the sustainability of community assets, or increasing collaboration between community projects and services.

National Lottery Awards for All offers funding to support what matters to people and communities. The programme is a partnership between the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, sportscotland and Creative Scotland. It can fund projects that’ll do at least one of these things:- bring people together to build strong relationships in and across communities- improve the places and spaces that matter to communities- help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage- support people, communities and organisations facing more demands and challenges because of the cost-of-living crisis.You can use the funding to:- start a new activity or continue an existing one- help your organisation adapt to new challenges- run one-off eventsFor projects focused on **arts**, film or other creative work, they prioritise those that:- reduce barriers and increase access for people across society- come from people or places that receive less funding from Creative Scotland- pay artists at least the recommended industry rateThey prioritise **sports** projects that involve:- people that have a low income or experience poverty- people with mental health conditions- people over 50 years old- ethnic minority communities- girls and young women- disabled peopleThey are looking for projects that are connected to local people and their communities, and use their existing skills and experience. It is important to involve your community from the start - in the design, development and delivery of the activities you’re planning.

The programme is delivering grants and support to organisations in England, Scotland and Wales. Grants will support a wide range of organisations that address local need, promote social inclusion, and strengthen communities in underserved areas.Applicants must demonstrate that they are using sport for social purposes, focused on the following programme outcomes:- Improving health and wellbeing- Reducing inequalities- Empowering communitiesApplicants must demonstrate support to one or more of the following underrepresented groups; people experiencing poverty, women and girls, racially diverse communities, disabled people, rurally isolated, individuals from the LGBTQ+ community.Funding offered is unrestricted.

Grants are being invited from community groups, charities and cooperatives throughout Aberdeenshire (excluding the Cairngorms area) and can fund specific activities aimed at benefitting rural communities in the region.   There are two types of grants available:Capital grants for new projects to support expenditure on assets which will last longer than one year, for expenditure such as:- The purchase of equipment over £6,000- Improvement to buildings and property- Construction of paths- Retrofit upgrades to propertiesRevenue grants to support new projects, which are not capital and not part of the core running costs of the organisation, such as:- Feasibility studies- Alleviation of poverty measures- Access to services- Supporting children to gain new skillsApplications will be assessed and approved by the Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (LAG), a cross-sector partnership which represents rural communities throughout Aberdeenshire.Grants will be targeted towards capital expenditure which can be delivered before 28th February 2027 and supports one or more of the following priorities:- An inclusive and connected Aberdeenshire – Enabling better connections within and across rural Aberdeenshire Communities - Accountable and Fair Aberdeenshire – Ensuring no one community is left behind or exposed to the devastating effects of inequality and poverty. - Sustainability of Places and Planet - Achieving a just transition to net zero through reducing emissions and regenerating the local environment 

The Aviva Foundation's Communities Fund will support organisations and projects that focus on either: - Financial wellbeing - helping people feel more secure and in control of their money. This could include budgeting support, debt advice, financial education, or money management. - Climate action - helping communities prevent, prepare for, and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. This might involve restoring nature, improving access to green spaces, or providing education and skills for a sustainable future. Funding depends on how your mission aligns with their focus areas: - If your core mission is aligned with either financial wellbeing or climate action, you can apply for core running costs. - If your core mission is not directly aligned, but you’re planning a project that clearly addresses one of these areas and connects meaningfully to your wider work, you can apply for project-specific funding.

The fund provides grants that preserve and develop the area of Larbert, Stenhousemuir & Torwood as a great, friendly place to live, supporting activity that improves the look and feel of the area, brings people together and enhances the community for future generations. The fund’s priorities are to support charitable activity that:- Improves the physical appearance of the community (including the town centre) and makes better use of our public spaces;- Develops community services, events and facilities to better meet the diverse needs of local people; - Preserves and enhances the natural environment for the benefit of those who live in the area;- Builds the skills, capacity and sustainability of community organisations serving the area.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 so on.The Panel is particularly keen to receive applications from:- Groups that haven’t applied to the fund before;- Groups that are providing services or activity that benefits the elderly;- Groups that are planning projects which will increase provision currently available;- Groups planning activity that will increase participation in community activity.Applicants are also required to consider some cross-cutting issues appropriately and proportionately relative to their project; see fund website for full details.

Argyll and Bute Council is responsible for the administration of 4 active Common Good Funds: Oban, Campbeltown, Rothesay, and Dunoon.Whilst custom and practice have in effect established certain principles in each case and particularly in unusual cases, the Members of the Fund must consider whether or not it is a " reasonable judgement" for them to consider making an award from the relevant Common Good Fund. Using a "reasonable judgement" for the "benefit of the Community" could for example include expenditure on:- Maintenance of public parks where they form part of the Common Good- Donations to local philanthropic institutions- Erection of memorial or ornamental statues and meeting the costs of maintenance- Street decorations within the fund area.- Applications from individuals or groups where the granting of the application would provide a good to the community at large- The reserve generated from the Funds can in part be used to maintain common good land and buildings held as assetsThe activities below are examples of what could be considered for common good funding:- School/youth exchanges within the area- Voluntary work overseas- Attendance at summer schools/events- Excursions/Parties (up to 2 per year per group)- Visits by and from School/Youth/Sport/Music groupsThe council also administers a number of Bequest Funds, which people who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for.