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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 Outer Hebrides Community Led Local Development Local Action Group (CLLD LAG) have launched their 2025-26 Fund, which offers capital funding to organisations working in and supporting our communities.Applicants must support the LAG’s overarching ambition of increasing collaboration and community empowerment through inclusion, equality and diversity, and demonstrate that their project has been developed with input from the community/ies they aim to support. Funded activity must closely align with at least one of the LAG’s main priorities for 2025-26, which are:- Community Wealth Building; - Dùthchas and Dualchas[1] with a focus on identifying new approaches that can lead to economic benefits; - Working towards Net Zero; and- Connectivity and efficient & sustainable transport.Funding requests must be for activity which:- has an immediate, demonstrable impact;- helps raise the profile of CLLD;- incorporates a collaborative approach, including projects which demonstrate inter-island or across-community working; - demonstrates community buy-in, alignment with community plans and/or that a significant community need is being addressed.

Halkirk District Benefit Fund provides community benefit to individuals residing in the Halkirk are (Altnabreac, Banniskirk, Calder, Georgemas, Harpsdale, Spittal, Mybster and Westerdale).The aim of this fund is to advance education and relieve poverty for the benefit of the public and: - to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure.- provision of facilities for meetings, education, and recreation- provision of facilities for the young and elderly- provision of facilities for those who have additional needs- provision of training, education, meetings, lectures, etc.- bringing together organisations for the benefit of the public of the environment - research, collation, and promotion of the history of the Halkirk area.Applicants should demonstrate local consultation and procurement, partnership working and sustainable development.

The fund will provide grants to not-for profit groups to support charitable activities in Marybank, Scatwell & Strathconon that:- Enhance quality of life for local residents- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities- Promote community spirit and encourage community activityPriorities for the fund are projects that:- Enhance community facilities and physical assets- Address the cost of living crisis- Build skills, knowledge and understanding among groups delivering projects and people benefiting from projects- Address issues of rural isolation- Can evidence widespread support from the local community- Take a creative approach to meeting the needs of the local community- Create opportunities for all to get involved- Source goods and services locally where appropriate- Both revenue items (e.g. running costs), and capital items (e.g. to buy equipment) can be funded. The Panel prefer that awards result in additional activity, i.e. are not used primarily to maintain existing activity.The Panel will revisit the fund aims and priorities periodically, and may make changes to these taking into account any changes in local needs and aspirations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.If you are applying for a project involving the arts, they will prioritise projects that: engage people from areas of high deprivation; remove financial barriers to access creative activities; address rural isolation and encourage activity in rural areas; engage older people, people in care homes and carers; engage care leavers; support integration of refugees and asylum seekers. If you are applying for a project focused on sport, they will prioritise projects that: engage young people from our most deprived areas; engage girls and young women; engage disabled young people.They 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.Announced on 25th March 2026, there is also an additional £2.2 million of National Lottery funding to support community, arts, and sports activity inspired by Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, bringing the excitement of the Games to towns and neighbourhoods across Scotland.This summer, organisations delivering Glasgow 2026-inspired activities can apply for up to £10,000 of National Lottery funding for projects lasting up to 12 months that will:- increase access and remove barriers so more people can take part in arts or sports activities- bring people together and strengthen connections within and across communities- support health and wellbeing through physical activity and shared community experiences- celebrate cultural diversity and international connections- create a lasting legacy that communities can enjoy beyond the Games