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Grants are being invited from community groups, charities and cooperatives throughout Aberdeenshire (excluding the Cairngorms area) and can fund specific activities aimed at benefitting rural communities in the region.   There are two types of grants available:Capital grants for new projects to support expenditure on assets which will last longer than one year, for expenditure such as:- The purchase of equipment over £6,000- Improvement to buildings and property- Construction of paths- Retrofit upgrades to propertiesRevenue grants to support new projects, which are not capital and not part of the core running costs of the organisation, such as:- Feasibility studies- Alleviation of poverty measures- Access to services- Supporting children to gain new skillsApplications will be assessed and approved by the Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (LAG), a cross-sector partnership which represents rural communities throughout Aberdeenshire.Grants will be targeted towards capital expenditure which can be delivered before 28th February 2027 and supports one or more of the following priorities:- An inclusive and connected Aberdeenshire – Enabling better connections within and across rural Aberdeenshire Communities - Accountable and Fair Aberdeenshire – Ensuring no one community is left behind or exposed to the devastating effects of inequality and poverty. - Sustainability of Places and Planet - Achieving a just transition to net zero through reducing emissions and regenerating the local environment 

The Aviva Foundation's Communities Fund will support organisations and projects that focus on either: - Financial wellbeing - helping people feel more secure and in control of their money. This could include budgeting support, debt advice, financial education, or money management. - Climate action - helping communities prevent, prepare for, and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. This might involve restoring nature, improving access to green spaces, or providing education and skills for a sustainable future. Funding depends on how your mission aligns with their focus areas: - If your core mission is aligned with either financial wellbeing or climate action, you can apply for core running costs. - If your core mission is not directly aligned, but you’re planning a project that clearly addresses one of these areas and connects meaningfully to your wider work, you can apply for project-specific funding.

The ORIT Cumberhead Community Fund supports community projects benefiting those living in the Community Council areas of Coalburn and Lesmahagow. The Fund is provided by Cumberhead Wind Energy Limited, the company which owns and operates the Cumberhead Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire, under the auspices of Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust (ORIT).The Fund provides grants to support charitable activities that benefit the residents of the Coalburn and/or Lesmahagow areas; anything which enhances the economic, social or environmental sustainability of these communities. Most of all, the Fund aims to ensure that successful applications are translated into real projects that make a material difference and deliver a lasting legacy. The Fund is keen to encourage environmentally responsible and sustainable practice amongst applicant groups and within communities.Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example, the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on. Grants must normally be spent within one year of being awarded

Small 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- Nurturing RelationshipsThey 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.

Muirden Energy is committed to ensuring their renewable energy projects bring lasting value to the communities in which they are developed. They work closely with local residents and stakeholders to deliver tailored community benefit packages that support local priorities—whether through funding for local initiatives, support for schools and community groups, or investment in environmental and recreational projects. Their goal is to foster long-term partnerships that contribute positively to local well-being and sustainability.They welcome applications for projects that support community development, environmental initiatives, education, wellbeing, heritage, or recreational activities. Projects must demonstrate a positive and lasting local impact.They currently asset manage over 30 wind turbine sites across the Scotland, with a strong focus in Aberdeenshire. See website for locations: your group must be located within a 10-mile radius of one of their turbines to apply.

This fund supports charitable activity benefiting people living in the community council areas of Benarty, Cardenden and Kinglassie in Fife.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 may support a wide range of costs, e.g. equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional workers, consultations and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.Different criteria and amounts apply for each fund. See the area-specific pages on the Foundation Scotland website.

The fund provides grants that preserve and develop the area of Larbert, Stenhousemuir & Torwood as a great, friendly place to live, supporting activity that improves the look and feel of the area, brings people together and enhances the community for future generations. The fund’s priorities are to support charitable activity that:- Improves the physical appearance of the community (including the town centre) and makes better use of our public spaces;- Develops community services, events and facilities to better meet the diverse needs of local people; - Preserves and enhances the natural environment for the benefit of those who live in the area;- Builds the skills, capacity and sustainability of community organisations serving the area.Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example, the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.The Panel is particularly keen to receive applications from:- Groups that haven’t applied to the fund before;- Groups that are providing services or activity that benefits the elderly;- Groups that are planning projects which will increase provision currently available;- Groups planning activity that will increase participation in community activity.Applicants are also required to consider some cross-cutting issues appropriately and proportionately relative to their project; see fund website for full details.

Social Business Trust's mission is to support high growth potential social enterprises to scale-up their impact. They do that by investing cash grants and professional support from seven partner organisations in a carefully selected portfolio of social enterprises.

This fund supports not-for-profit groups providing charitable activities that benefit people living in the community council area of Strathpeffer. Specifically, it will support projects that:- Enhance quality of life for local residents- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities- Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.Applicants should demonstrate how their project relates to the themes of:- sharing and connecting- visitors staying longer and - an even better place to live.