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The Community Led Local Development Fund is an annual grant fund dedicated to improving life for people living in the Scottish Borders. The fund has been running for over 20 years. Themes funded vary each year but always include looking projects related to social and environmental issues.The fund offers grants for projects that are centred around tackling at least one of the following themes:- Net-Zero/Climate Crisis;- Social Inclusion/ Improving Services for the Public- Poverty Alleviation (especially for children and young people). All grants must be spent by 28 February 2026.The decision making panel (Local Action Group) is made up of local residents and organisations and membership is open to all.The LAG also funds other activities through separate funds such as Business Grants, Youth LAG grant process and direct distribution of low energy/poverty alleviation goods to those in need.

The Community Choices Small Grants programme offers community groups the opportunity to suggest project and activity ideas they want to make happen and to receive public funds in their ward to do it. The programme supports groups with a project idea that will make a difference to people living in the Falkirk area.The priorities for community grant funding are:- People: Projects that foster good community relationships between people. Projects working with people who are disadvantaged or with protected characteristics are more likely to be successful particularly if the application can provide evidence of how people are coming together to improve relationships between people and communities.- Place: Projects that encourage people to take pride in their community. Projects that clearly set out the history or culture of the community they are celebration are more likely to be successful. - Partnership: Projects that support the Council's approach to early intervention by providing services so that people can live full, independent and positive lives.

Social & Community Capital is a charity funded by Royal Bank of Scotland to help social enterprises, charities and community businesses. They provide funding and support for organisations based in the key focus areas of Midlands, North West of England and Scotland who don't qualify for mainstream finance.There are four loans to meet different needs:- Property Purchase Loan: Funding to renovate or purchase a property. Apply for £30k to £500k.- Flexible Growth Funding: Looking to grow and increase your impact. Apply for £30k to £350k.- Working Capital LoanFlexible finance to cover overheads and smooth out cashflow. Apply for £30k to £250k.- Bridging Loan: Pay VAT or cover overheads before grant funding arrives. Apply for £30k to £250k.

Clyde Wind Farm (Scotland) Ltd operate a 206-turbine wind farm in the Clyde Valley. The Clyde (Extension) Community Investment Fund has been established as a means of enabling a contribution to the communities located around the wind farm. The fund supports the community council areas of Duneaton, Biggar, Symington and Quothquan & Thankerton. The funding decisions are made by local advisory panel, made up of local residents and representatives from the community councils.They encourage applications which are community-focussed or charitable activities that:- Encourage community activity and promote community spirit;- Ensure adequate access to services for all community members;- Improve local transport infrastructure;- Build the local economy;- Build community capacity and cohesion & between groups; and/or- Develop or maintain community assets.For revenue projects, it is important to bear in mind that there is no guarantee of ongoing support. A key focus of the fund is sustainability and as such they would encourage groups to be working towards being self-sustaining where possible.In addition, in order to ensure that the Fund achieves maximum benefits for the local communities, priority for grants will be given to projects that can demonstrate they also meet the following criteria: - 1. That other possible sources of funding for the project have been explored. - 2. For local community groups applying to the Fund that reasonable efforts have been made to raise money through their own local fundraising activity. - 3. That local suppliers will be used for the provision of goods and services, where appropriate. - 4. That consideration has been given to minimising the environmental impact of projects and reducing your organisation’s ‘carbon footprint’.

This fund supports local community projects during the 25-year lifetime of the wind farm. The fund welcomes applications from organisations whose focus covers aspects of the following:- a broad span of the community- children and young people – especially projects focused on improving access to activities and services and where young people play a key role in the decision-making- carbon reduction – helping to tackle climate change.- vulnerable people – especially projects involving increased access to services and facilities for people with disabilities, the homeless and the elderly.- community regeneration – projects that improve health and education; reduce crime level, regenerate employment, housing and the physical environment.- self-help groups – community-based groups that deliver basic services.- environmental and wildlife projects – especially those involving improvements to communal land.- education and skills development – group and community-based programs, particularly for those who have had no previous access to training opportunities.- health – projects providing access to services that aim to improve the health and well-being of communities.- heritage – projects that celebrate and protect the local heritage.- sustainability – projects that promote sustainable development.- community buildings – projects that help maintain community owned buildings widely used by the community.The fund is open to applications from projects which benefit residents living in Arbuthnott, Catterline, Kinneff and Dunnottar, Mearns, Stonehaven and District

The Community Grants programme supports grassroots charities across the UK to deliver vital community services.Applications’ activity could include one of the following: - Projects which support Mental Health - Projects which support Disabilities including Learning Disabilities and Autism - Bereavement support - Projects which are helping with the Cost of Living – cooking workshops, community kitchens, skills or object shares - PSE (Personal Social Education) - Domestic Violence Support (including women’s refuges) - Isolation / Befriending / Listening Services - Projects which support Vulnerable and Elderly - Projects which support Dementia / Quality of Life - Social prescribing – alleviating the pressure from the NHS - Employment – reskilling people, actively preparing people for a new job / new career, interview prep etc - Education projects for any age - Projects which are challenging discrimination / supporting BAME/Gender/LGBTQ groups - Climate Action / Environmental education projects. - Activities to remove carbon from the atmosphere such as tree planting, heathland restoration or supporting algae farms; - Remediating polluted areas via litter picking / clean-ups. - Improvement of public community space to stimulate people getting more frequent access to outside space and wildlife.

The Cervus Trust is interested in supporting charitable activities under the following themes:- Food Poverty: projects that are empowering and help people to help themselves e.g. community growing projects rather than foodbanks.- Mental Health: projects targeting those with depression and anxiety, support for those who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACES), projects that help to develop emotional resilience; projects supporting carers with their mental health.- The Arts: using arts, including music tuition, as an enabling tool to develop skills, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.- Education: projects which involve outdoor education and play are preferred. School-based initiatives will be a low priority unless they involve non-statutory provision and involve the wider community.- Disadvantaged families and children: support for projects that will help families and children to thrive.

This funding is for projects that support children, young people and families; or that help people to be healthier and have better access to support.Projects should support people experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination.Your project should be designed with the people you support. You should:- involve them in how it’s developed, delivered and led- make use of their existing skills and interests- complement and make connections with other services that support them.Projects must meet one of these outcomes:- Children, young people and families thrive.- People have better relationships, connections, and physical or mental health.