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Carrick Futures is a community company, funded by ScottishPower Renewables community benefit funds from the Arecleoch and Mark Hill Windfarms in South Ayrshire. The fund primarily supports projects located within or directly benefiting one or more of the six community council areas of Ballantrae, Colmonell & Lendalfoot, Barr, Barrhill, Pinmore & Pinwherry and Girvan & District. The Board has agreed six strategic priorities, which it will use to prioritise proposed projects. These are:- Improve access to public services, education and recreation- Tackle inequality, including poverty and disadvantage- Support good health and wellbeing- Provide support and/or opportunities for children and young people- Support the sustainable development of community led assets- Foster climate smart approaches that protect and promote our environmentThese priorities are underpinned by a community wealth building approach which provides a proportionate response to local priorities in relation to jobs, business and the local economy.Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities and capital costs to purchase or develop community assets.

Within the Alyth and Mount Blair areas, the Fund aims to promote community spirit and bring people together; enhance quality of life and promote people’s well-being; and foster vibrant sustainable communities. It seeks to do this by awarding grants that:- foster social networks & activities that support older people in the community - assist young people to maximise their potential and improve their life chances - promote better relationships between different generations - encourage healthy lifestyles and good mental health - support the acquisition, development and use of new community assets, and maintain and enhance existing ones - address the effects of rural isolation, improving access to services and improving transport- support skills development and non-profit making initiatives that will nurture a thriving and diverse local economy- protect the environment and advance the area’s heritage; including involving local people in the sensitive and sustainable stewardship of the natural environment and participation in activities that promote sustainable development - strengthen the ability of local people and groups to continue to meet their own needs and make a difference within their communities.Priority for grants will be given to projects that can demonstrate they also meet the following criteria: - That other possible sources of funding for the project have been explored. - For local community groups applying to the Fund: that reasonable efforts have been made to raise money through their own local fundraising activity. - That local suppliers will be used for the provision of goods and services, where appropriate. - That consideration has been given to minimising the environmental impact of projects and reducing your organisation’s ‘carbon footprint’.

The Tannach and District Charitable Wind Farm Trust manages funds from the Wathegar, Wathegar 2, and Bilbster Wind Farms. The Fund supports community groups and charities working in the Tannach and District area that provide activities or services which promote community spirit and bring people together, enhance quality of life and promote people’s well-being and foster a vibrant, sustainable community.The outcomes for the Tannach & District Wind Farm Charitable Trust Fund are as follows:1. There are more and better opportunities to take part in sports and recreational pursuits2. Access to and through settlements is safer3. People of all ages enjoy more, better and varied activities and services4. Community life is enhanced and maintained through a wide range of activities, eventsand improved amenity of settlements5. Economic activity is encouraged within the Fund area6. People have more vocational skills and experience7. The natural and cultural heritage is more valued, experienced and understood by bothvisitors and residents8. Energy use in homes and community buildings is more sustainable9. Tourism opportunities are promoted and created in the Fund area

Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund is provided by EDF Renewables, the majority owner of Dorenell Windfarm Limited. The fund supports charitable activities that benefit residents living in he communities of Dufftown, Auchindoun, Glenrinnes, Glenlivet, Inveravon, and Cabrach.Applications must demonstrate how the proposed project or activity will contribute towards the themes and priorities identified in the updated Community Development Plan priorities, as follows:1. Environment and Heritage2. Community and recreational facilities, groups and activities3. Local economy 4. Housing and sustainable development5. Transport and access to servicesAwards can support both revenue and capital costs and a wide range of activities, including equipment costs, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations and feasibility studies, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities and so on.Awards can be made on the basis of being repayable as an interest free loan, where cashflow limitations are impeding the delivery of a project. For more information, visit the Foundation Scotland website.

The Scottish Government’s Just Transition Participatory Budgeting (PB) Fund is back for a fifth year, giving communities across the North East and Moray a leading role in the journey to net zero.The Fund supports bold, community-led ideas that make a real difference. Community groups and third sector organisations across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray can apply for grants to deliver an eco-friendly project in their area.From installing solar panels and battery storage to introducing electric vehicles, improving energy efficiency in community buildings and protecting local environments, the Fund backs practical capital projects that reflect what matters most to local people. Residents will once again have the final say, voting for the projects they want to see funded.Delivered by ACVO TSI, AVA, tsiMORAY, NESCAN Hub and Money for Moray, the Fund brings partners together once again to support communities across the region. They will be engaging with communities to help you take part in the transition to net zero, sharing ideas and providing project development support and application assistance.Get involved, share your ideas, and help shape a greener future for the North East of Scotland.Bids need to demonstrate that projects are able to receive, and spend the total amount of the funding bid in the 2026 to 2027 financial year. Multi-year bids can be made, and may be considered, if capital funding for the Fund becomes available beyond 2026 to 2027. Additional weighting will be given to bids that would be delivered on a co-funded basis. Previous projects have included energy measures and retrofitting, green jobs, community gardens and food growing, sustainable travel, and creating and restoring greenspaces. More examples of projects funded through the first round can be found on the Fund website.

The fund is a vehicle through which two different funds are administered, provided by:- Nadara, the owner and operator of the Galawhistle Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire (opened in 2017)- Greencoat UK Wind, the owner of the Douglas West Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire (opened in late 2021)The Fund supports community projects benefiting those living in Douglas (incorporating Glespin and surrounding areas) and/or Coalburn community council areas. It supports positive change by investing in a wide range of inspirational, community-led activity that is strategic, positive and creative and helps deliver a legacy of lasting impact.Applications are expected to address one or more of the following outcomes: - help people into work- improve local transport- improve quality of life, health and well-being- build capacity for local groups and individuals- building sustainable community assets, including capital assets, community enterprises, local exchange systems, people’s skills and abilities, culture and the local environment.

Funds projects and initiatives that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities within the Solwaybank Windfarm area and enhance the lives of those living and working in the area will be supported.Applications are welcomed that fall into the following categories:- Enhance the quality of life for local residents;- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities;- Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.Priority will be given to projects which can demonstrate:- Local consultation – evidence that the local community has been consulted and is supportive of the project;- Strategic projects – with longer term impacts and benefits;- Partnership working – working with other organisations (e.g. voluntary, local, regional or national) to add value to a project.- Local procurement – using local suppliers and providers for goods and services, where possible.- Environmental considerations – consideration of the project’s carbon footprint and minimising the environmental impact.Match funding of at least 10% of the project cost will normally be required, but projects with more match funding to add to the value of the project and maximise the Community Benefit funding are preferred.

Grants are available for local voluntary or community organisations and charities working in communities across the UK. All applicants need to do is share the exceptional contribution that a local organisation has made to their community and what the grant would be put towards.Previous grantees have included blood bikes, air ambulance, support groups for people with disabilities, and support for care leavers.

The fund aims to support projects that make a difference to life in, and seek improvement in, the local community. They are keen to support community and voluntary organisations that are charitable, educational, philanthropic or benevolent in purpose. You do not have to be a registered charity to apply for funding but you do have to be able to demonstrate real community impetus and benefits.Projects should benefit people living in Arbuthnott; Benholm and Johnshaven; Gourdon; Inverbervie; Mearns; St Cyrus.Please check the fund guidelines to check eligibility before applying.