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The Digital Specialist Advice Grant offers organisations based in the Highlands and Islands area towards the costs of obtaining digital specialist advice. Introducing digital technologies into your business has many advantages, including cutting costs, speeding up processes, improving customer insights, creating the ability to make faster business decisions and increase revenue. This funding is available to cover the costs of one-to-one consultancy on digital technologies leading to an action plan or a feasibility study for your business.Digital technologies may include:- robots/robotics/cobotics- sensor technologies- Internet of Things- data innovation- artificial intelligence- cyber security/risks- software development- augmented reality/virtual reality/3D visualisations- additive manufacturing and laser machining- cyber security solutionsProjects that have an element of ‘deep tech’ will also be considered (e.g. blockchain, photonics, aerospace and space technologies, electronics, cyber threat intelligence, fusion power and quantum computing).This funding can be used for projects focused on the adoption of advanced digital technologies including artificial intelligence or robotics.The funding is for consultancy costs to develop a feasibility study or action plan for digital technologies leading to, for example, increased productivity, impact on jobs, skills or workforce development, efficiency gains, reducing energy costs, or carbon reduction.The consultancy can include:- market research / testing, opportunity analysis and market assessments- energy efficiency feasibility study associated with application of a digital technologies- project feasibility, identify and appraise options and preparing a business case for investment- feasibility and impact analysis of new workplace practices and organisational structures and approaches to learning and development to reduce costs or improve resource utilisation- research supporting emerging digital technologies e.g. Industry 4.0 related, within the business- specialists to fill a skills gap relating to adoption of digital technologies

The Community Integration Fund aims to strengthen community cohesion across Falkirk by supporting local organisations to include and integrate New Scots within their activities between March 2026 and 31 March 2027.The term New Scots includes refugees, asylum seekers, displaced individuals; those refused asylum who remain in Scotland, and people who may be stateless.Community cohesion relies on inclusive environments where people from all backgrounds feel valued and connected. Projects should build relationships, reduce isolation, promote shared participation, and address cultural misunderstandings.Priority groups include:- Resettled refugees- Asylum seekers in dispersal or contingency accommodation- Refugees granted leave to remain- Displaced persons (e.g., Ukrainians)At least 25% of participants must be Falkirk New Scots.Projects may focus on:- Improving English- Learning about the local community- Cultural exchange- Relationship-building- Employment pathways- Reducing intercultural barriers- Improving wellbeing- Sustainability

The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is supporting community and faith organisations to install solar PV and battery storage in their buildings. This is a short-term pilot, funded by the Scottish Government and Great British Energy, with funds needing to be spent and claimed by 31 March 2026.Demand is expected to be high for this funding, with many communities already in a position to mobilise projects very quickly. Funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis. If you are developing a new project, read the guidance and self-assessment checklist carefully and prioritise seeking a quote if you think you are eligible.To be able to install within the pilot timescale, easier installation projects will be more suited to this funding. Therefore, while it is not a requirement, they suggest that the proposed project:- Is not in a conservation area or within the curtilage of a listed building.- Is under 50kW of solar PV.- Is on an easily accessible roof, which is built after 1930s (as the roof will be more likely to meet structural requirements).- Is not part of a more significant building renovation that would increase the risk of programme delays.

The Oak Trust is a small charity making grants to registered UK charities supporting disadvantaged people, as well as medical and environmental charities.They support registered UK charities working in areas of the world where the needs from deprivation, natural disaster or conflict are beyond what the national government can provide. They only accept applications from charities based in East Anglia (Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex).There are no specific criteria, but consideration is given, among other things, to:- People who are disadvantaged (in the widest sense)- Personal development through adventure- The environment- Whether the charity will be able to bring life-changing benefits to its clients- Whether a small grant will really make a difference to the charity- How challenging the raising of the money for the particular cause will be- The number of people assisted per £ spent- The viability of the charity and where the rest of the money will come from- How much the charity spends on fund-raising and administration- Whether the charity works locally, nationally or internationally

Partnership Fund is open to applications from third-sector organisations delivering strategic outcomes with national impact for Scotland’s historic environment or the Scottish historic environment sector.You must have a track-record of making a significant contribution to HES Grants Priorities and address a clear and demonstrable need or opportunity for Scotland’s historic environment sector which is not being met by other organisations.Examples of possible eligible activities include:- Professional or volunteer training programmes addressing recognised historic environment skills gaps at a national level- Developmental, advocacy or capacity-building activities enabling the sector to achieve strategic outcomes in line with national priorities- Outreach activities or learning programmes delivering high-impact outcomes for audiences across ScotlandPartnership Fund grants can only cover direct activity costs and an appropriate level of indirect costs (full cost recovery) associated with the funded activities.

The Tree Council and SP Energy Networks (SPEN) are working in partnership with local communities to deliver a programme of tree planting across central and southern Scotland, with a specific focus in areas such as parks, schools, and community spaces. Hedgerow planting, community orchards and other urban planting schemes will also be supported.They are looking to support well-planned, tree planting projects that will directly benefit people, communities and wildlife.

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.

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.

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.