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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.

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

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 

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’.

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.

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.

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 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