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This option has two distinct aims.1) Provides support for new access infrastructure that will bring small scale, undermanaged woodlands or inaccessible woodlands back into active management with the following aims: - to improve the economic value of forest and woodland through timber production- to increase the area of woodland in Scotland that is in sustainable management - to improve the environmental and social benefits of woodland.2) To provide support for new access infrastructure to new woodlands as part of the Sheep and Trees initiative. This initiative is aimed at raising awareness of the many opportunities woodland can bring to land managers.

Funded by The Scottish Government, The Nature Restoration Fund encourages applicants with projects that restore wildlife and habitats on land and sea and address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. The primary focus of this fund is to increase the biodiversity value of land and sea with a focus on nature-based solutions to address the impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change.The Fund will support a mix of urban and rural-focused projects, such as improving greenspace for outdoor learning, green active travel routes, planting of wildlife corridors and natural flood management.Funding is available to Helping Nature and Transforming Nature Delivery projects for single or multi-year projects. Transforming Nature Development projects should be for no longer than 12 months. The Nature Restoration Fund is largely a capital fund designed to deliver change on the ground.Project activities must be completed by 31 March 2028.

Funding for youth-led projects that work with young people experiencing inequality to engage with them on the climate emergency. Eligible costs include:- Work that is currently underway and will continue into the grant funding period- Running costs, including overheads and energy costs.- Staff costs.- Equipment necessary to deliver the work you’re requesting support for.- Training costs for staff, volunteers and children and young people.- Venue hire.- Travel costs.- Other costs associated with removing barriers to access for children and young people.- Volunteer expenses.- Budget for young people-led project development.- Small scale capital costs.

Young people across the Scottish Borders are full of inspiring ideas to help tackle the climate crisis and promote community climate action– and SBCAN is here to help bring those ideas to life. They're inviting youth groups, schools, clubs and voluntary groups to apply for grants to run a project that makes a difference in your community. This fund will support projects or activities that include: - Community Action which benefits our planet- Developing Sustainable practices- Encouraging Climate Resilience and Adaptations- Learning new skills and discovering natureThey are particularly keen to support projects which show:- Youth-led projects where young people are involved in taking ownership and deciding what they want;- Collaborative working between groups;- Inter-generational working;- Groups that promote inclusive activity with under-represented groups;- Projects which support the young people to achieve recognition for their achievements- for example Dynamic Youth Award Climate Action Challenge/ John Muir Award/ Saltire Awards- A long-term vision for Climate Action within your school/ group.

Join schools and organisations across the Scottish Borders in taking action to protect, enhance or connect with the environment. Inspired by the enthusiasm of Borders’ High School students to collective take action on the climate, Borders Act for Change provides seed funding for events and activities that will have a positive impact in the Scottish Borders and beyond.Action should take place in and can be one-off events or ongoing activity, such as:- Tree planting- Biodiversity surveys- Community gardening day- Upcycling fashion event- Litter picks- Guided nature walk- Clothes swap- Expertise talks - Environmental film screenings - Volunteering day- Reduce energy usage

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

Local community planning is about making a positive difference to the communities we live in. Fife Council does this by bringing together local communities with public, voluntary, private sector and other organisations to improve our communities and quality of life.Projects should meet some of the priorities of your local area’s community plan. There are individual plans for each area on the Council's [Local Community Plans page](https://www.fife.gov.uk/about-your-council/council-performance/local-community-planning).Examples of the types of projects they will be looking to support are:- taking a pride in your community- improvements to community facilities- community events- employability initiatives- vulnerable or disadvantaged groups in a community

The Forestry Grant Scheme offers financial support for the creation of new woodland and the sustainable management of existing woodland. Within the scheme's eight categories, there are a range of support options covering planting, woodland protection, harvesting and more.

The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is designed to support access to finance for UK small businesses (third-sector) as they look to invest and grow. The Scheme provides a 70% government backed guarantee on loans, and aims to improve access to finance to boost overall investment and economic growth. The Scheme supports term loans, overdrafts, asset based lending and invoice finance facilities. Term loans and asset finance facilities are available from three months up to six years, with overdrafts and invoice finance available from three months up to three years.To find out more, visit the SIS website or contact them to speak with a member of the team.

The Community Buildings Fund, part of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), provides grants to help community organisations reduce their building’s energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. It does this by funding the installation of renewable technologies like heat pumps, battery storage, and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, as well as some energy efficiency measures.Grants up to £80,000 for 80% of eligible costs are available to eligible community groups to help you reduce energy costs and make your building more sustainable. The funding can be used towards the cost of installing renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. It can also be used for costs like building warrants, planning permission and grid connection applications which are essential to install some measures. What improvements will CARES fund?**1. Heating requirement**CARES funding is prioritised to buildings that have or will decarbonise their heating. Your building must have:- A heat pump (air source, ground source or water source).- A connection to a heat network.- Direct electric heating (including storage heating or electric boilers) biomass heating.Or as part of your CARES project you will be installing:- A heat pump; or- A connection to a heat network.**2. Core measures eligible for CARES funding.**You must install at least one core CARES measures:- A heat pump (air source, ground source or water source).- A connection to heat network.- Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.- Solar water heating.**3. Add-on measures**In addition to installing a core measure(s), you can also apply for funding to install one or more of the following:- Energy storage – heat/thermal or electrical.Insulation – any loft, underfloor or cavity wall insulation.- Secondary glazing.- Draught proofing.- Appropriate energy saving controls that are linked to new installations to ensure they operate efficiently.Eligible community buildings include, but are not limited to:- Village halls.- Community centres.- Community hubs.- Sports facilities.- Faith buildings.The building must be used by the local community or charitable organisation.