Search

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.

Zero Waste Scotland is Scotland’s Circular Economy Body. Their strategic aim is to rewire Scotland’s economic system, increasing the uptake in business adopting or applying circular economy practices and, in turn, driving a reduction of our consumption of natural resources through increased circularity. As part of their ongoing programme, finance is available to support projects offering or exploring transformational approaches or innovative new technologies capable of delivering at scale. Projects must be able to demonstrate impact beyond an individual business or organisation and show clearly how anticipated outcomes will lead to positive impact across a sector, industry or region.Projects must also align with one or more of the following objectives:1. Help people care by advocating for change and demonstrating how we can do it. Projects will deliver activity to increase society’s demand for circular practices through stimulating the development and uptake of technologies, products and services to support a circular economy in Scotland.   2. Make circularity easier and do more where it matters most by identifying and addressing the conditions supporting circularity in Scotland. Through encouraging the collaboration of organisations across value chains, including enterprises and academia, projects will implement circular economy strategies, principles and practices in high impact sectors1 3. Improve the infrastructure needed to accelerate adoption of circular economy practices by keeping materials in use in Scotland’s economy through using less, using for longer, using again, and / or switching to regenerative material use. Projects will support the creation of valuable markets to optimise materials management and processing in Scotland.

Community organisations and charities based in the Edinburgh region can apply for up to £500 through University of Edinburgh's micro-grant scheme for small scale community activities and local action.They welcome applications for projects which could have positive social impact for people living in the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Scottish Borders and/or Fife by contributing to one or more of these United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):  - No Poverty - Good Health and Wellbeing - Quality Education- Decent Work and Economic Growth - Reduced Inequalities - Sustainable Cities and Communities

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.

Large Grants focuses on work that addresses the impacts of poverty and trauma under one or more of the following themes: - Financial security- Education pathways- Work pathways- Relationships (this pathway will launch later in the year).They seek to fund work that: meets people's immediate needs, provides earlier help, tests new approaches or does more of what work, and is universal or targeted. See website for details of target groups.

Falkirk Council's Housing Services are committed to working closely with tenants.Tenants' Choice is the name of the participatory budgeting scheme to specifically benefit Falkirk Council tenants. It gives tenants a say in how their rent can be used for small projects in their community.Tenants Choice will have a total fund in 2025/6 of £35,000. Constituted groups will be able to apply for up to £5000 for a project that will benefit tenants and the communities where they live.An application for funding should aim to meet all or some of the following criteria:- Benefit Falkirk Council tenants- Help improve the quality of a community where tenants live- Enhance the environment and or improve the appearance of a housing estate which includes Falkirk Council tenants- Help solve a problem identified by a group which will assist tenants- Help with costs of starting up a new group – applications must be made within 6 months of the group becoming constituted, the group must also not have anymore than £2000 in their bank account. Start up costs can include things like setting up Wi-Fi, utility costs and equipment.When thinking about a project those applying will need to consider any ongoing costs and how the project will be sustained. For example, if you apply for a community garden, you will need to think about the costs of keeping the garden neat and tidy. Also, consider the cost of yearly planting which you may want to ask for a contribution to as part of your application. Please also seek permission from the landowner. If you need assistance with this, please contact the Community Engagement Team prior to submitting your application.It is important also to consult on your project. This could be conversations, phone calls, texts, emails, meeting notes etc.

The Community Empowerment Fund (part of the broader UK Shared Prosperity Fund or UKSPF) is a community capacity building initiative that aims to boost local community projects across the Falkirk area.There are two programmes:- Capital Facilities Improvement Grant: Up to £15,000 capital funding towards projects that result in the creation or significant improvement of a building/facility owned or controlled by a non-profit, community benefit organisation. - Small and Start-Up Grants: Funding to deliver new or expanded services within our communities, including activities, events and volunteering opportunities (up to £5,000).The UK Government have introduced a revised set of outcomes for the SPF programme. The 25/26 Outcomes for the Community Empowerment are listed below:- Number of amenities/facilities created or improved - Number of local events or activities supported - Number of people reached - Number of volunteering opportunities supported - Improved engagement numbers - Number of volunteering opportunities created as a result of support For projects aiming to be completed by 31 January 2026.

Community groups, charities and projects working in Dumfries can apply for grants of up to £5,000.The support is being provided by the University of Glasgow as the anchor academic institution through their Dumfries Campus.They are looking for project proposals from a broad range of ideas that can lead to tangible social, civic, sustainable skill development or community benefit to those in Dumfries. Examples of projects eligible for funding may cover:- Equality, diversity and inclusion focused initiatives- Health, wellbeing and fitness/sport- Sustainability and climate change- Food poverty- Arts, heritage, and culture- Education, and outreach- Finance/debt advice- Any group set up to represent underrepresented groups in society or special interest groups- Community spacesThese projects may be new ideas, or opportunities to expand existing community projects – in this case funds may be sought to increase the scope, coverage, duration, and impact of already existing initiatives.They will consider being a part-funder alongside other organisations. However, the University of Glasgow will require to see evidence of other parties’ funding being in place before issuing their funding award and may withdraw a funding offer should this evidence not be provided. Whilst such collaborations are welcomed, the University would only transfer a grant to one organisation. The organisation receiving the grant would then be responsible for passing on money to any project partner organisation.Applicants can only apply for (and be in receipt of) one Civic Fund award at a time. However, organisations or individuals (only if they are applying on behalf of a wider community group or organisation) are welcome to apply more than once. That is, you can reapply if you have an unsuccessful application or when a Civic Fund funded project is complete.

The GRID Civic Grant Funds have been set up by Glasgow University to support communities in its surrounding areas, and are intended to help local groups make an enduring positive impact for those living, working and learning within Glasgow Riverside Innovation District. Projects may be new ideas, or opportunities to expand existing community projects.Example proposals may cover any of the following – non exhaustive – sorts of initiatives: - Equality, Diversity & Inclusion focused initiatives - Health, Wellbeing and Fitness / Sport- Sustainability and climate change - Food poverty - Arts, heritage, and culture - Education and outreach - Finance / debt advice - Any group set up to represent underrepresented groups in society or special interest groups (examples of such groups might include, but not limited to, multi-cultural groups, women’s groups, men’s mental health groups, LGBTQ+ youth groups)- Community spaces

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’.