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The Council has a number of settlement trusts which support projects under a wide range of categories including education, arts, local communities and the environment.Check the website for a full list of trusts and for contact details for each.You can apply for funding from a Settlement Trust if it falls under the following categories:- Prevention of Poverty- Advancement of Education- Advancement of Religion- Saving of Lives-Advancement of Citizenship- Advancement of Arts- Advancement of Public Participation in Sport- Provision of Recreational Facilities- Advancement of Human Rights- Promotion of religious or racial harmony- Promotion of Equality- Advancement of Environmental Protection- Relief of Those In Need- Advancement of Animal Welfare- Analogous Purposes- Advancement of Health

The fund supports a broad range of community activity and development by supporting the charitable activities of community, not-for-profit groups.Six community councils are eligible for funding through the CREPL Community Fund: Cree Valley; Kirkcowan; New Luce; Port William; Stoneykirk; Old Luce.Payments are made directly to Community Councils, or similar organisations, to use or distribute to active groups in their communities. Old Luce funds are transferred to the Old Luce Community Fund to be distributed through the open grantmaking process.

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.

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

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 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.

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.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 activityPriority 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 impactMatch 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.

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’.