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The Tree Council and Network Rail are once again working in partnership to support a new season of community tree planting. They invite applications for funding to support impactful community tree planting projects.Priorities are :- Clear community benefit and involvement, such as volunteering, education, or wellbeing initiatives - Improvements in biodiversity at the planting site - Clear understanding of site suitability for tree planting, based on site-specific considerations - Thoughtful tree selection following “right tree, right place” principles, supported by a detailed planting plan- Use of UK-sourced and grown trees, preferably native species from local or community nurseries and/or those that are Plant Healthy certified - Comprehensive establishment and aftercare plan, including a commitment to maintain the trees and site for a minimum of three years - Willingness to provide content for external communications purposes - Commitment to participate in monitoring and evaluation activities post plantingAll projects to be completed by 1 March 2027.

Funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, the programme, to be managed by public sector infrastructure body, the Scottish Futures Trust, will provide grants that address identified climate-related risks. The aim is to award funding to 8-10 projects and ensure cultural and creative assets across Scotland remain usable, resilient and fit for purpose as climate conditions continue to change.The demonstration fund is designed to support pathfinder projects where practical interventions can be completed at pace, while generating valuable learning to inform future investment decisions across Scotland’s cultural and creative estate.With a strong emphasis on experience and insight, the programme will prioritise projects that are capable of being delivered quickly, and able to demonstrate clear, transferable lessons.Grant funding will support the delivery of projects to be completed within the 2026 - 2027 financial year.

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 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.

Each one has its own specific governance arrangements and internal processes.

The fund aims to deliver inclusive community-based activity to meet one or more of the Scottish Government priorities of:- Tackling the climate emergency- Eradicating child poverty - Growing the economy- Ensuring high quality and sustainable public services Grants will be targeted towards activities or infrastructure that support one or more of the following priorities: - Build community capacity to facilitate and support local development - Help the economy of the Park to deliver Net Zero by supporting communities and existing businesses (priority theme) - Attract, support and retain young people in the National Park - Increase community service provision in the National Park (priority theme)- Cultural Heritage and Recreation - Creating a Well-Being economyProjects could be completely new activity or capital items; or can be additional activity or capital within existing projects. Where possible, projects will be encouraged to work in partnership with others to deliver their projects. They would like to see a variety of applications ranging from small actions to larger more strategic projects. All projects will need to be completed by March 2027.

This bridging loan scheme is available to community organisations carrying out work on a public facility or providing a new public facility in Shetland which is eligible for grant funding from EU/Scottish Government/Lottery when the funding is released on receipt of paid invoices.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund (CMHWF) for Adults was established in October 2021 and to date, it has distributed grants to community initiatives supporting mental health and wellbeing across Scotland. Local TSIs each have their own version of this fund.The priorities are:- 1. Tackle mental health inequalities through supporting a range of ‘at risk’ groups.- 2. Address priority issues of social isolation and loneliness, suicide prevention, poverty and inequality with a particular emphasis on responding to the cost-of-living crisis and support to those facing socio-economic disadvantage.  - 3. Support small ‘grass roots’ community groups and organisations to deliver such activities.  - 4. Provide opportunities for people to connect with each other, build trusted relationships and revitalise communities. New for this year is a particular focus on supporting the following six priority family groups identified under Best Start Bright Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022 to 2026: Lone Parents; Disabled; 3+ Children; Minority Ethnic; Youngest Child Aged <1; Mothers Aged <25.

The Plugged in Communities Grant Fund supports community transport operators in Scotland to replace a community transport vehicle with a zero-emission alternative, to support community trips and services.Grants are available to cover the following zero-emission vehicles:- Cars- MPVs- Minibuses- VansFunding also covers any necessary accessibility adaptations and charging infrastructure

Years 5 & 6 of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults offers financial support to local community projects that improve the mental health and wellbeing of people living in the Western Isles.This money will be distributed to groups who provide community support and connections for people who have experienced distress, disadvantage, isolation, or whose mental health has been negatively impacted by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The overarching aim of the Fund is to promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing while mitigating the impact of distress and mental ill health within the adult population (aged 16 or over) with a particular focus on prevention and early intervention. Key priorities include:- Addressing mental health inequalities within ‘at risk’ groups.- Tackling social isolation, loneliness, suicide prevention, and poverty and inequality, with a focus on responding to the cost-of-living crisis.- Supporting small grassroots community groups and organisations in delivering activities.- Fostering connections, building trusted relationships, and revitalising communities.In previous years the fund has supported projects as diverse as arts, recreation, sporting memories, advocacy and counselling.For further information and advice, contact the relevant local TSI:- Third Sector Hebrides (Lewis): enquiries@tshebrides.org.uk- Outer Hebrides Social Economy Partnership: enquiries@tshebrides.org.uk- Volunteer Centre Western Isles: manager@volunteercentrewi.org- Harris Voluntary Service: manager@harrisvs.org.uk- Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations: info@ucvo.org.uk- Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay: eoin@vabv.org.uk