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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.

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

Local Community Groups are able to apply for funding to support the group and to develop a new or ongoing project in partnership with their local store. Successful applicants will receive an initial grant of up to £1,000 and begin a partnership with their local One Stop store.This programme is designed to support community groups or organisations operating within two miles of a One Stop store and which are;- Tackling food poverty- Supporting the vulnerable- Supporting the elderly- Supporting low-income families- Supporting local sports teams- Improving the local environment- Reducing waste in the communityIn addition to a grant, tailored support from the store teams will help community causes to increase or improve their service by assisting in areas such as but not limited to; volunteering support, fundraising and awareness-raising.

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 Gannochy Trust Youth Panel Fund awards grants to registered charities for work in Perth and Kinross, that deliver the outcomes that the Youth Panel aims to achieve with its funding: Youth Activity, Voice, and Health & Wellbeing.Youth Activity- Providing groups of young people with the opportunity to experience travel and new environments (Care experienced young people need not travel as part of a group)- Providing a safe place for young people to meet and socialise- Opportunities for young people to explore music and/or art- Activity that delivers positive environmental changeYouth Voice - Empowering young people and ensuring that their voices are heard- Supporting youth leadership in local communitiesYouth Health and Wellbeing- Provision of free or affordable meals- Development of independent living skills- Activity that is focused on improving mental health- Improved access to the outdoors

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’.