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The Tree Council has funds available to assist schools and community groups proposing to undertake well-planned tree planting projects during National Tree Week. They can fund trees, hedges and orchard trees and reasonable costs of supports and aids – stakes, ties, guards, fertiliser, mulch, soil amelioration.

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 Way Forward for Families Partnership Fund is delivered by Corra Foundation and is a partnership between Corra Foundation and Scottish Government, and supported by our network of Youth Partners – Clued Up Project, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs’ Routes Project, and Youth Scotland.You’re Only Young Once (YOYO) is a fund designed by young people as part of the Way Forward for Families Partnership Fund. The young people have designed the fund criteria, application process, name, and logo.The young people of the Way Forward’s Be Different to Make A Difference Advisory Group is focussing this small grant programme on supporting children, young people and their families to shape and share experiences, create connections, and to create the conditions where they are empowered to influence participation, policy and practice across Scotland, and can thrive in the future.

The Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF) contributes to the costs associated with meeting required registration qualification criteria set by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and to help employers in achieving a qualified workforce.The fund contributes to costs associated with staff meeting the required registration qualification criteria set by the SSSC. They would particularly like small and medium-sized organisations to apply. Workers eligible for support this year are: social care workers at the level of support worker, practitioner and supervisor, providing care at home service, housing support service or care home service for adults.Funding is available for SVQ Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF level 6 or 7. For 2026-2027, the SSSC and Scottish Government would encourage level 7 applications to support supervisors who have had an extension to their qualification condition and still have to gain their practice qualification.

Scottish EDGE is a competition aimed at identifying and supporting Scotland’s up-and-coming, innovative, high-growth potential entrepreneurial talent. You should have an ambitious growth strategy and a commitment to deliver upon it. Competitions are:- Scottish EDGE: For early-stage companies/social enterprises across all sectors, offering funding on a split grant/loan basis.- Young EDGE: For companies where all directors are under the age of 30 offering a grant only award.Wild Card EDGE: For pre-trading companies, sole-traders and partnerships, offering a grant-only award. - Social Enterprise EDGE: For Social Enterprises who clearly demonstrate how their business enriches communities and makes a contribution to society, offering funding on a split grant/loan basis.

The Family Recovery Initiative Fund can offer one-off grants to groups that support families affected by alcohol and drugs in Scotland. Its aim is to improve the wellbeing of family members affected by someone else’s substance misuse. Well-being is improved by social inclusion, because people connect with other people, can participate in group activities, and can access support. It is funded by the Scottish Government Substance Misuse Unit. The fund can support a variety of activities including set up costs, running costs, training, events, marketing, travel, activities and networking.

Fife Council’s Culture Grants scheme aims to encourage and support creativity in local communities and will support activities in the following areas:- literature (includes writing, books, storytelling, readings, publishing)- performance (includes theatre, performance, drama, music and dance)- heritage (includes museums, libraries, archives and history)- audio-visual (includes film and video, radio, new media)- visual arts/crafts (includes art, painting, sculpture, crafts, design, fashion and architecture)Grants are available to start or develop creative activities within the group, to add to your group’s experience if you already have artistic or cultural aims, or to organise a cultural experience for group members

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.

Part of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), the Community Energy Growth Fund helps communities take community energy projects from idea to delivery.The fund is designed for communities that are ready to develop or deliver a renewable energy project. You may be in the right place if:- Your organisation is a non-profit distributing Scottish charity or company and is eligible for CARES funding.- You have identified a community energy opportunity or project idea.- You have identified potential sites or locations for the project.- You are seeking support to assess feasibility, develop or construct the project.Funding can support community-owned renewable electricity generation projects, including solar PV, wind and hydro, and the integration of energy storage and demand flexibility technologies. Support is also available for projects that combine these technologies through innovative approaches and business models.Whether you’re exploring an idea, developing a proposal or preparing to deliver a project, this fund could help you take the next step.