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The aim is to support projects that make a difference in the communities where the wind farm operates. These are the Arbuthnott and Catterline, Kinneff & Dunnottar Community Council areas.The Fund welcomes applications from organisations whose focus covers aspects of the following:- the advancement of education- the advancement of citizenship or community development- the advancement of culture or science- the advancement of public participation in sport and recreational activity- the advancement of local services and facilities for the community- the advancement of environmental protection or improvement- the promotion of sustainable development

The Digital and Technology Adoption Capital Grant can provide organisations based in the Highlands and Islands region funding to support digital transformation ambitions. Introducing digital technology into your business has many advantages, including cutting costs, speeding up processes, improving customer insights, creating the ability to make faster business decisions, reduce carbon emissions and increase revenue.HIE recommend that organisations applying for this fund should have a digital action plan or feasibility study in place before making an enquiry.Community and Voluntary Organisations in the Highlands and Islands can apply for a capital grant based on their requirements.Digital technologies that may be supported with a capital grant include:- Robots / robotics / cobotics- Sensor technologies- Internet of Things- Data innovation- Artificial intelligence- Cyber security- 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, for example, blockchain, photonics, aerospace and space technologies, electronics, cyber threat intelligence and quantum computing.

Coach education subsidy funding aims to support Scottish Governing Bodies of sport (SGBs) in growing and developing their coaching workforce. sportscotland awards funding to SGBs, who then distribute financial subsidies to eligible individuals to support the cost of attaining recognised coaching qualifications. This funding also aims to encourage Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) approaches and access to sport in different communities throughout Scotland. Applications with an EDI focus are a priority for all subsidies.

The National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations aims to support organisations who seek funding to undertake creative activity such as a specific project or production, a programme of creative work, or a period of research and development. The fund can also support business change and development projects, such as those that make the organisation more financially sustainable or focus on broader organisational development.The fund is intended to support creative activity such as a specific project or production, a programme of creative work, or a period of research and development. Examples of the types of activity that can be supported are:- Development, curation, production, presentation of new work- Networking and collaborative opportunities- Research and development - Organisational development activity, where the activity is likely to contribute to greater organisational sustainability, public engagement, environmental sustainability or the development of knowledge/skills within the organisation- Professional development (training, mentoring, skills development)- Activity that supports artists and addresses inequalities- Audience development- Widening participation and engagement in creative activity.For full details, see the Fund guidelines available on the Creative Scotland website.

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.

Groups and organisations can apply for funding to help people understand how climate change affects their lives and what actions they can take. The Climate Engagement Fund will support groups to act as ‘trusted messengers’ in their communities, and lead climate change initiatives that: - reach all parts of society - build understanding - enable participation in policy development - encourage climate action Climate Engagement funding can be used for activities such as: - events, lectures, and festivals - climate conversations and workshops - interactive exhibitions and participatory arts - training and climate coaching - youth programmes and citizen science - informative games and mobile applications - staff costs directly linked to project design and deliveryApplications are invited for projects to be undertaken between April 2026 and March 2027

The Climate Hub offers small grants to community groups for community engagement or seed funding for a community climate action project. The Fund is available to existing and emerging community groups who are members of the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub. They will prioritise projects which: - Aim to create long-term change.- Build the skills and capacity of groups or organisations and communities. - Support and encourage collaborative working across groups or organisations, communities and areas.- Encourage sustainability through reusing, recycling and upcycling goods and products. - Encourage climate action and a just transition- Mitigate climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce environmental impact- Help communities adapt to and build resilience to climate change- Protect or enhance local biodiversity through conservation and promotion

The Scottish Government’s Just Transition Participatory Budgeting (PB) Fund is back for a fifth year, giving communities across the North East and Moray a leading role in the journey to net zero.The Fund supports bold, community-led ideas that make a real difference. Community groups and third sector organisations across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray can apply for grants to deliver an eco-friendly project in their area.From installing solar panels and battery storage to introducing electric vehicles, improving energy efficiency in community buildings and protecting local environments, the Fund backs practical capital projects that reflect what matters most to local people. Residents will once again have the final say, voting for the projects they want to see funded.Delivered by ACVO TSI, AVA, tsiMORAY, NESCAN Hub and Money for Moray, the Fund brings partners together once again to support communities across the region. They will be engaging with communities to help you take part in the transition to net zero, sharing ideas and providing project development support and application assistance.Get involved, share your ideas, and help shape a greener future for the North East of Scotland.Bids need to demonstrate that projects are able to receive, and spend the total amount of the funding bid in the 2026 to 2027 financial year. Multi-year bids can be made, and may be considered, if capital funding for the Fund becomes available beyond 2026 to 2027. Additional weighting will be given to bids that would be delivered on a co-funded basis. Previous projects have included energy measures and retrofitting, green jobs, community gardens and food growing, sustainable travel, and creating and restoring greenspaces. More examples of projects funded through the first round can be found on the Fund website.