Search

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

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.

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 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

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 Mossmorran Wind Farm Ltd Community Fund will support community projects that benefit residents living in the Hill of Beath, Cowdenbeath and Crossgates & Mossgreen Community Council areas. This charitable fund is provided by Mossmorran Wind Limited (MWL) the owner and operator of the Mossmorran Wind Farm in Fife. The fund opened in 2016 and receives an annual payment from MWL, this started at £14,100 and rises in-line with inflation. Payments will continue for the operating life of the wind farm, expected to be 25 years. Grants of up to £2,000 can now be considered towards a range of activities. However, applicants should be advised that, where demand on funds is high, a lower offer may be made. The fund provides grants to support charitable activities that:- Enhance quality of life for local residents.- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities.- Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered: e.g. equipment costs, running costs for local groups, consultations, staff or sessional workers and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities and activities to reduce carbon emissions.

This charitable fund is provided by GDF Suez, Carscreugh Renewable Energy, Glenchamber Wind Farm, SSE, Greencoat and ScottishPower Renewables, owners of nearby wind farms, who channel their community benefit funds through this single Fund. The Fund primarily supports projects located within or directly benefiting the Old Luce Community Council area, including the communities of Glenluce, Dunragit and Auchenmalg. It will support charitable activities that: - enhance quality of life for local residents- contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities- promote community spirit and encourage community activity. Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including. equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.Priority for awards can be given to projects that demonstrate the following additional criteria:- Match funding- Local procurement- Sustainable development- Local consultation- Partnership working

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’.