March Funding Finder
The latest Funding Finder from the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub, which details currently open funding avenues tailored to our members. These funds support climate action of both mitigation and adaption measures. Published on a monthly basis, new fund additions are marked with a star.
Community Action (Scotland) - The National Lottery | Ongoing | General
Max award: £250,000
Community Action (Scotland) will award funding to inclusive, community-led projects which will help to build positive relationships, support health & wellbeing, improve our connection to nature or make a positive difference to the environment. Funding is available for up to five years and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
To apply, groups must first arrange a discussion from a TNL funding officer to establish your eligibility, and then full applications will be invited.
MCS Foundation Programme Grants | 1st May 2025 | Mitigation
Max award: £50,000
Grants are available for organizations to fund retrofit projects aimed at improving energy efficiency or using renewable energy in domestic buildings. The 2025 funding covers two types of projects:
Retrofit in action: real-world projects demonstrating retrofit methods.
Retrofit research: research projects that investigate specific issues to improve future retrofitting schemes.
Funding will cover direct project costs like staff, venue hire, focus group expenses, homeowner grants, or project-specific equipment.
B&Q Foundation Grants | 9th May 2025 | General
Max award: £10,000
The B&Q Foundation Grant supports charities to maintain housing, improve community spaces and help people facing housing challenges.
The funding can be used for decorating, renovating, or creating spaces where people can feel at home both inside and outdoors. This could include things like community gardens, property redecorating, installing boilers, or building new rooms or buildings.
The grant will cover all project costs, including staff time. Projects must be completed within six months of receiving the funding.
Closing Soon
⭐ Scotland's Finest Woods Awards | 31st March 2025 | Mitigation
Max award: £1,000
The Scotland's Finest Woods Awards (SFWA) is an annual competition aiming to recognise and reward the woods and forests that are managed to the highest standards and act as a beacon for modern woodland heritage.
Cash prizes and trophies are available across a range of categories open to entries from landowners, forestry businesses, community groups and schools.
The Mushroom Trust | 31st March 2025 | Adaption
Max award: £10,000
This fund aims to support the creation, enhancement, and upkeep of green spaces throughout Scotland. This includes both the creation of urban spaces, such as public parks, community gardens and allotments, as well as other environmental and conservation projects, such as ancient woodland restoration projects. Eligible projects include: Formal gardens. Public parks and pathways. Community gardens, woodlands, orchards, and allotments. Cycle ways. Woodland restoration. The Trustees encourage applications for the initial costs for design work in connection with new projects where this has not yet been considered.
Matrix Causes Fund | 31st March 2025 | Mitigation
Max award: £9,000
Funding is intended to promote access to justice (particularly for people trying to get support for their basic needs), equality of opportunity or a sustainable environment. Two levels of funding are available: One-off grants of up to £5,000. Grants of up to £3,000 a year for three years. Activities must promote access to justice, equality of opportunity and a sustainable environment.
Oak Trust | 1st April 2025 | General
Max award: £4,000
Grants are available for registered UK charities that are supporting people who are disadvantaged, plus there is assistance for medical and environmental groups. The full consideration criteria is on their website.
Sea-Changers Coastal Foundation Fund | 25th April | Mitigation
Max award: £2,500
The purpose of the fund is to reduce the impact of single-use plastic water bottles on coastal habitats by funding communities to purchase water drinking fountains and install them for public use in busy or environmentally important areas.
Sustainable Spaces
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Max award: £2,000
“Infrastructure” can cover everything from new waste bins, additional signs, or renovations to community tree planting, redecorating the village hall, or creating a wildflower meadow. The overall aim is to create more resilient community structures and spaces for the region, and to make the North Highlands an even better place to live.
The programme will consider grants of up to £2,000 which fit at least one of the following priorities:
Litter, recycling and waste capacity within the local area, including public toilets and motorhome facilities
Creation and identification of designated visitor parking areas, esp. for larger vehicles
More effective visitor signage and information on local facilities or amenities
Community well–being services that make our communities better places to live and work.
Community centers and spaces that bring your communities together
Sustainability and environmental Improvements and he encouragement of biodiversity or green spaces
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Max award: £20,000
Community Spaces aims to support local communities experiencing poverty and trauma in Scotland and is for registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £500,000.
Applicants can apply at any time and there is no set closing date for applications.
The fund will provide revenue funding of between £5,000 and £20,000 per year, for up to 3 years, to support the costs of community centres, hubs and anchor organisations that are delivering and/or hosting a range of services and activities to meet the needs of their community.
Applicants should show how the various services they deliver and/or host relate to preventing or reducing poverty and trauma for local people.
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Max award: £500
The Greener Spaces, Fairer Places small grants scheme supports the work of faith groups taking small scale local actions which address the link between climate change and poverty.
Local faith groups registered as charities in Scotland, whose annual income is normally lower than £80,000, and who normally employ no more than 2 full-time equivalent staff members. Please note that we prioritise our grant awards towards groups with minimal resources.
Grants of up to £500 are available for local action around the following themes:
Community mobilising (eg events in your community bringing people together on climate action; outdoor installations & recycling; banner/ poster-making to raise awareness)
More effective use of community land (eg using land to grow food, create a community garden)
Respecting the environment (eg organising a local clean up, using buildings in a more eco-friendly way)
Local action on reducing fuel consumption (eg supporting sustainable energy use)
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Max award: £250,000
The funding is a non-repayable grant of up to £250,000, which will cover between 10% and 40% of the total cost of a project. The minimum grant award is £20,000.
Projects with a total cost of £50,000 or less are therefore unlikely to be eligible. Projects can include anything that helps businesses and social enterprises to reduce carbon emissions and make progress towards achieving net zero, for example through energy efficiency measures, renewables, or waste management.
They will prioritise projects based in remote and rural areas where applicants may be eligible for up to 50% funding. HIE’s contribution to projects will be based on the financial need of the business or social enterprise. Applicants will be required to provide financial information on request to allow an assessment to be made.
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Max award: £1,000,000
The Scottish Land Fund is open to organisations in both urban and rural Scotland which are community-led, community-controlled and defined by a geographic area.
Successful applicants will clearly demonstrate that their project will help their local community to: achieve more sustainable economic, environmental and/or social development through ownership of land and buildings have a stronger role in and control over their own development own well managed, financially sustainable land and buildings.
We will prioritise applications that can demonstrate significant positive impact for the community as a whole. Applicants will have the opportunity to test out and develop their ideas with support from a Scottish Land Fund Adviser.
Grants of between £5,000 and £1 million are available to fund the purchase of land or land assets. Applicants can be from one of a wide range of representative community bodies, including voluntary organisations, social enterprises or community councils.
National
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Max award: £5,000
Schools across the UK, educating children aged 5-11, can access support and funding to design a banner showcasing their energy saving pledge and inspire their community to adopt daily energy saving habits.
The first place prize is a British Gas Positive Energy Grant of £5,000 for the winner's school to support them in becoming more sustainable and accessible. The first-place design will also be used to create a banner to be hung at the winner's school site.
There are 25 runner-up prizes available in the form of a British Gas Positive Energy Grant of £500 per runner up school, to fund the activities of their eco-club, eco-council, or other sustainability led education opportunities. The 25 runner-up schools will also receive a banner featuring the winning Everyday Energy Competition design, to hang outside their school.
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Max award: £50,000
Grants are available to incorporated organisations in the UK for retrofit-related projects as defined as energy efficiency or renewable generation measures to a domestic building which is in line with the Foundation's objective to make every UK home carbon free.
The 2025 funding is for projects that are one or both of the following types:
Retrofit in action: projects demonstrating or experimenting with methodologies in the real world and actively evaluating results.
Retrofit research: research projects which aim to research a particular issue and better inform retrofit work in the future.
Building on the Foundation’s knowledge of the sector and stakeholder consultation there is particularly interested in grants responding to one or more of the following questions:
What are effective grant and finance mechanisms to deliver measures?
How do we engage citizens in retrofit and then turn engagement into action?
How do we increase the numbers of people entering the retrofit supply chain?
The funding will support direct project costs, such as staffing, venue hire for an event, focus group expenses, grants to homeowners, or project specific equipment. Project start dates can be any time within six months of the grant agreement being signed to suit the organisation’s capacity to deliver the project. However, projects should not have started before July 2025.
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Max award: £30,000
The following levels of funding exist:
Small grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 per year for up to three years.
Main grants of up to £30,000 per year for up to three years.
Capital grants.
New charities, first-time applicants to the Trust or organisations that have not applied for over ten years may only apply for one year's funding - this is to re-establish their relationship with the Trust.
The Trust will not fully fund organisations, projects or activities.
Applicants are expected to provide details of other funding including a contribution from their own funds or from local fundraising.
The priorities for the Trust's Grant Strategy for 2022 to 2027 are informed by an external environment of unprecedented challenges which are having a serious impact on levels of disadvantage, wellbeing, mental health, poverty, and employment opportunities, especially for young people.
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Max award: £10,000
The funding is intended for registered charities working with people in need (by reason of financial hardship, sickness, disability, other disadvantage or distress) in the UK and who need funding for the following:
Projects that provide, maintain, repair or improve housing or community space.
Supporting people experiencing poor housing or homelessness.
There are two levels of grants:
Up to £5,000 for garden projects
Up to £10,000 for building or indoor projects.
The B&Q Foundation will consider awarding higher value grants. The funding can support decorating, renovating, or creating spaces, both indoors and outdoors, where people can feel at home and have a sense of belonging.
Projects could include creating community gardens, redecorating properties, installing new boilers, and creating new buildings or rooms. The funding will cover the full cost for the completion of the project, including staff time required.
Projects need to be delivered within six months of receiving the grant.
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Max award: £11,596
Grants are available to small grassroots activist environmental organisations in the UK and Ireland that are working to protect local habitats and frontline communities through bold, original actions.
Grants of between US$5,000 and US$15,000 are available. Only one proposal is accepted per group, per fiscal year (1 May - 30 April). on-profit organisations with a non-governmental status, doing environmental work in the UK or the Republic of Ireland can apply for funding.
The Company is happy to fund risk-taking, off-the-beaten-track groups.
There are two annual deadlines:
31 May for a response by the end of August.
30 September for a response by the end of December.
Applicants should take the eligibility quiz on the Patagonia website. If the proposed work is eligible, applicants will be directed to the application form.
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Max award: £6,000
The funding is for charitable work in the UK that addresses the objectives of the Trust, which are:
The advancement of the arts.
Health and medical welfare.
Environmental protection or improvement.
Grants generally range from £500 to £6,000. The majority of grants are one-off grants for one year.
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Max award: £3000
There is a total funding pot of £36,000 each year, with 12 grants awarded annually.
The following types of organisation may apply:
Community, self-help or voluntary groups.
Charities, including local branches of national charities.
Organisations with charitable aims.
To be eligible, all organisations and community interest groups must:
Be registered with a recognised governing body (such as the Charity Commission or Companies House) for a minimum of 18 months (they should have annual accounts available and submitted).
If selected for a grant award, applicants will also need to provide their organisation’s articles of association or constitution, demonstrating clear objectives related to community interest and improvements.
Round 1 opens on 28 April and closes on 8 June 2025. Shortlisted applicants notified on 2 July 2025. Awards announced on 16 July 2025.
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Max award: £10,200
Grants are available for voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations to allow them to set up and deliver the Duke of Edinburgh Award to create more opportunities for marginalised young people (14 to 24 years) to access the Award.
The grant will be combined with support from a dedicated member of staff who will help the grant recipient set up, launch and deliver the Award programme. The package includes:
Licence fee support for community and voluntary organisations.
Access to staff and volunteer training courses.
Free participation places for young people.
Expedition kit start-up costs.
Not-for-profit voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations which do not currently offer the Award programme can apply. This includes: Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) registered with the Charities Commission. Charitable Companies, registered with both Companies House and the Charity Commission. Community organisations who are Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG) with no share capital and are registered with Companies House.
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Max award: £6,000
Funding is at the discretion of the Trust. Thus far, grants have ranged from £400 to £6,000 per project.
Local and national charities, voluntary organisations, community groups and schools from across Scotland can apply.
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Max award: £500
The funding is intended for:
Diversity and inclusion projects that engage individual and groups from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Environmental projects that seek to support, conserve, or generate understanding of our environment and wild places
Health projects enabling people to gain physical and mental wellbeing from the Great Outdoors.
Education projects such as First Aid, D of E, Forest Schools and Mountain Leader.
Participation projects that get more people experiencing the Great Outdoors.
There is particular interest in projects that:
Encourage responsible outdoor activity.
Have long lasting benefits. Introduce new people to get outdoors.
Demonstrate value for money.
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Max award: £300
The Trust will consider funding projects in the following areas:
General charitable purposes.
The advancement of health or saving of lives.
Disability.
Overseas aid/famine relief.
Arts/culture/heritage/science.
Funding is at the discretion of the Trust. Most grants tend to range from £100 to £300. This Trust does not maintain a website. Further information is available by either calling or writing to the Ancaster Trust.
Applications must be made in writing to:
Enquiries
Ancaster Trust
c/o Sayers Butterworth LLP
3rd Floor
12 Gough Square
London
EC4A 3DW
Tel: 020 7936 1910
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Max award: £20,000
The funding priorities of the programme are:
Bringing people together and building strong relationships in and across communities.
Improving the places and spaces that matter to communities.
Helping more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.
Supporting people, communities and organisations facing more demands and challenges because of the cost-of-living crisis.
Terms and conditions are applicable dependent if groups have been previously funded by the National Lottery.
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Max award: £50,000
The funding is intended to be used for charitable projects that promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in the UK.
In the past, this has included:
The purchase of land Improving access to a nature reserve
Creating a lakeside path
Orchard projects
Protecting and recovering threatened plant species
Habitat restoration.
Conservation, research and education
Education centre gardens and wildlife areas.
Bird boxes for churches and village halls.
Volunteering projects.
The Trust does not maintain a website or an email address. Groups should write or call the Trust for further details on how and when to apply. Banister Charitable Trust Ludlow Trust Co Ltd Tower Wharf Cheese Lane BRISTOL BS2 0JJ Tel: 0117 313 8200
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Max award: £200
This fund aims to support outdoor learning activities in the Cairngorms by helping groups cover transport costs to and from the National Park.
In doing so, the fund will help overcome a key barrier to outdoor learning and enable access to the National Park for a wide number of teachers and voluntary groups.
Grants of up to 75% of the total transport costs, up to a maximum of £200, are available.
Schools, voluntary groups, and community groups in Scotland can apply. This includes groups and intermediaries who support and work with people experiencing some form of disadvantages, such as age, gender, race health, disability, and social or economic reasons.
Priority will be given to:
Schools and groups from areas of multiple deprivations, including urban areas near the National Park such as Inverness, Perth, Dundee, and Aberdeen.
Those who have not visited the National Park or worked with a National Park ranger service previously.
Groups that support people with disabilities, young people, ethnic minorities, and those who experience economic disadvantage or health inequality
The proposed activities should:
Take place in the Cairngorms National Park including the nine National Nature Reserves.
Raise awareness and understanding of the Cairngorms National Park.
Involve Ranger Services and NNR staff in the National Park where possible.
Help deliver Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning experiences
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Max award: None
The funding is for projects and activities that focus on environmental and human rights issues, as well as particular special interests of the Trustees.
The application process is ongoing and interested applicants may apply at any time.
Applicants are advised to contact the Craignish Trust for further information.
Craignish Trust Geoghegan and Co.
6 St Colme Street
Edinburgh
EH3 6AD
Tel: 0131 225 4681
Fax: 0131 220 1132
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Max award: £250,000
Community Action is a new programme for Scotland forming part of the £166 million funding stream to support NLCF’s 2030 strategy.
The programme is intended to support projects meeting at least two of the following outcomes:
Build positive relationships.
Support people’s health or wellbeing.
Help people improve their access and connection to nature.
Make a positive difference to the environment.
Grants of between £20,001 and £250,000 are available. Funding is available for up to five years. Organisations that have not had long-term funding (lasting two years or more) can apply. However, they are unlikely to be offered more than £100,000 in total.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The application process is as follows:
Applicants must first contact the National Lottery Community Fund to arrange a discussion with a funding officer about the project and its eligibility.
Eligible applicants will then be invited to submit a full application.
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Max award: £5,000
The Community Right to Buy Fund provides support for communities to access professional services, where needed, to help with registering an interest under Community Right to Buy legislation. This could include legal title searches or help with mapping.
Communities can apply for up to £5,000 to help with registering a community interest in land/buildings through the Community Right to Buy legislation.
If you’re struggling to complete the application – we’re here to offer help and advice. Get in touch to discuss your proposal. If your problem is complicated and requires specialist professional services – perhaps legal issues around land ownership or boundaries – we have small grants available through our Community Right to Buy Fund. A grant of up to £5,000 for up to 80% of costs may be available to your organisation.
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Max award: £20,000
Community Spaces aims to support local communities experiencing poverty and trauma in Scotland and is for registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £500,000.
Applicants can apply at any time and there is no set closing date for applications.
The fund will provide revenue funding of between £5,000 and £20,000 per year, for up to 3 years, to support the costs of community centres, hubs and anchor organisations that are delivering and/or hosting a range of services and activities to meet the needs of their community.
Applicants should show how the various services they deliver and/or host relate to preventing or reducing poverty and trauma for local people.
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Max award: £50,000
The trust offers grants to local, national and international charities in line with its strategic allocation covering activities in the following categories: Medical, health, sickness Economic, community, development, and employment Environment, conservation and heritage Arts and culture Animals Overseas aid and familne relief Education and training Relief of poverty Disability Accommodation and housing Religious activities Sports and recreation
Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees.
Grants of up to £20,000 are made to smaller organisations.
Grants of up to £50,000 are available for larger national charities.
Grants exceeding £50,000 are made in exceptional cases.
Please note many of the charitable institutions receiving grants of between £20,000 and £50,000 receive funding each year.
The Trust does not maintain a website or provide a telephone number. Applications must be made in writing. The Trustees may make grants with no formal application; however, if considered appropriate, organisations may be invited to submit a formal application. Applications can be made at any time and will be considered at one of the Trustee board meetings which are normally held six times a year. Contact the Constance Travis Charitable Trust for further information. Administrative Manager Constance Travis Charitable Trust 86 Drayton Gardens London SW10 9SB Tel: 01604 862296
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Max award: £75,000
The scheme's primary purpose is to enable people to own and democratically control the businesses in which they work, or which operate in their local community. This is achieved by the provision of finance and financial services, throughout the UK, to those enterprises which practise or support the principles of cooperation; common ownership; employee, community or social ownership; equal opportunity and workplace democracy; and sustainable development.
Applications are welcome from those:
Starting a social enterprise, co-operative or employee-owned business.
Who are seeking to expand a social enterprise, co-operative or employee-owned business.
Wishing to take over an existing business and convert it to a co-operative or social enterprise.
This may be where a business would otherwise close, be sold to a third party, or become a privatised public utility. All types of social enterprise are able to apply, including cooperatives, social enterprises, community businesses, development trusts and businesses developed from the charitable and voluntary sector.
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Max award: £2,000
Primarily, the Cruach Trust financially supports gardeners, retired gardeners and preserving gardens throughout the United Kingdom.
The Trust also supports a wide range of charitable projects and activities, including medical research, the arts, culture, the natural environment, education, or those experiencing hardship.
Registered charities, societies, trusts or other groups in the UK with an annual income below £100,000 may apply. Small Scottish charities and local charities are prioritised.
A range of activities are supported. Previously funded projects include: horticultural apprenticeships; groups working with children, young carers, the elderly, vulnerable and homeless; gardens, wildlife and natural environment; music, the arts and cultural activities; medical research and support.
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Max award: £4,000
The scheme is intended to support charitable organisations undertaking general charitable purposes. Previous grants have been for a range of activities such as conservation, education, environmental protection, help for disadvantaged children, music, research and transport.
This is a small trust with a small amount of funding to give away each year. Although funding is at the discretion of the Trustees, grants tend to be for about £4,000. The Trust does not have a website or a formal application form.
Applications should be made in writing with details of the project.
Applications are considered once per year at an annual Trustee meeting. Cuthbert Horn Trust Arnold Hill and Co Craven House 16 Northumberland Avenue London WC2N 5AP Tel: 020 7306 9100
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Max award: £20,000
Funds are focused on capital improvements that seek to support the development or improvement of facilities that will enable more people to cycle. Capital costs are generally assets, such as bikes, equipment, tools etc. Proposals for complementary activities to support behaviour change may be considered where there is a direct link to capital elements, e.g. bike maintenance training in conjunction with procurement of maintenance equipment.
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Max award: £5,000
Grants are available from £1000 to £5,000.
Grant applications are welcome from groups or organisations that are “not for profit”; such as charities, community groups and social enterprises, that can demonstrate a clear community benefit in their constitution or governing document.
The purpose of the grant application must fit with the objects of the Delamere Dairy Foundation and be for the benefit of the public, namely:
The advancement of agriculture and of environmental protection
The advancement in life of young people by developing their capabilities so that they may mature as contributory members of society
The relief of financial hardship
The advancement of education
The relief of sickness
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Max award: £90,000
The minimum grant size is £30,000.
Unrestricted, core, project and delegated grants are available for charitable work in the UK.
To be eligible, applicants must be delivering work which aligns with one of the following programmes:
Our Natural World: Ensuring that the natural world is restored and protected, and that people benefit from that recovery.
The Foundation aims to contribute to the following key impact goals by 2030:
Preserved and improved species health and habitats.
Clean and healthy freshwater.
Sustainable and ethical food.
The priorities over the next seven years are:
Peat.
Space for nature.
Freshwater.
Nature-friendly farming
Fishing in tandem with nature.
Most grants are for three to five years.
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Max award: £500
The Greener Spaces, Fairer Places small grants scheme supports the work of faith groups taking small scale local actions which address the link between climate change and poverty.
Local faith groups registered as charities in Scotland, whose annual income is normally lower than £80,000, and who normally employ no more than 2 full-time equivalent staff members. Please note that we prioritise our grant awards towards groups with minimal resources.
Grants of up to £500 are available for local action around the following themes:
Community mobilising (eg events in your community bringing people together on climate action; outdoor installations & recycling; banner/ poster-making to raise awareness)
More effective use of community land (eg using land to grow food, create a community garden)
Respecting the environment (eg organising a local clean up, using buildings in a more eco-friendly way)
Local action on reducing fuel consumption (eg supporting sustainable energy use)
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Max award: £62,500
Grants/loans between £10,000 to £250,000 are available per business.
Up to 25% of the award (£62,500) can be in the form of a non-repayable grant and the remainder a loan.
Loans are repayable for up to 10 years and appropriate security must be available. The interest rate is the current base rate at the time the loan is documented plus 6%. This is fixed for the term of the loan. There are no arrangement or legal fees to be paid but there is a cost to drawing up and registering the security for the loan and any ranking agreements that may be required.
Incorporated organisations are eligible to apply, such as:
Incorporated co-operative (including Community Benefit Society).
Company limited by shares.
Company limited by guarantee.
Community Interest Company, Schedule 1 or Schedule 2.
Charitable company.
Industrial and Provident Society
Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Trust.
Applicant organisations and/or beneficiaries must be based in Scotland. Applicants must have:
Charitable, social or environmental objectives stated in the organisation’s governing documents.
A minimum of three unrelated directors.
An Asset Lock or Charitable Dissolution Clause.
Prevention from distributing profits for private/individual benefit or have a cap on the distribution of profits.
Assets of sufficient value to provide security for the loan.
Approached a bank (or commercial lender) and was turned down for an investment of a similar amount that is the same as the request from Investing in Enterprise. Eligible costs include: Working capital. Acquisition of assets. Business growth. Capital expenditure.
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Max award: £1,500
The grant scheme is open for applications and will provide grants of up to £1500 to support projects focused on children and families. The scheme is open to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, via an on-line application form.
Local projects that focus on helping children and families. Tesco Community Grants will fund local good causes that focus on supporting children and families.
Funding pots of £500, up to £1000 and up to £1500 will be available for projects and Tesco customers will be able to choose which project receives the most funding by voting in store every time they shop.
The scheme is open to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, via an on-line application form.
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Max award: £100,000
The types of grant we make, no matter what size, tend to fall into one of three areas:
operating/core costs
capital projects
projects/specific activities
We fund organisations working in the following areas:
Arts
Community
Education
Environment
Faith
Health
Museums and Heritage
Welfare
Youth
Don’t worry if your organisation works in more than one of these areas. We don’t earmark funds for specific areas of work or geographic regions. Any eligible organisation that meets our funding criteria has a fair chance of being funded.
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Max award: £2,500
The Trust offers grants to registered charities active in Great Britain to support projects relating to young people, people with disabilities, the environment and the arts.
At present, donations totalling approximately £140,000 are made to 100 charities each year. Grants usually range from £500 to £2,500. However, larger grants may be awarded under exceptional circumstances. Funding is available for general charitable purposes.
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Max award: £10,000
The minimum grant available is £10,000. There is no maximum limit.
Most grants are for two or three years. The Foundation normally supports core funding but grants for projects are also available. Please note that demand for funds is high.
Funding is available in the following two areas:
The Ocean: protection, restoration and sustainable use of the ocean through effectively and equitably managed protected areas; ocean recovery; engaging coastal communities; reducing overfishing and addressing other harmful effects of human activity on, and in the ocean, such as pollution.
Land and fresh waters: building healthier ecosystems in urban or rural environments, through effective and sustainable management including implementing evidence-based interventions conservation and restoration; connecting fragmented habitats; and landscape-scale work to protect and restore places of special significance.
Work to reduce or prevent the damaging impacts of human activities, particularly climate change, and air, land and water pollution from chemicals and other pollutants are also funded.
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Max award: £25,000
This is a Government initiative which was introduced to reduce the impact of landfill sites on neighbouring communities by funding local environmental projects. The aim of the scheme is to enable landfill operators to support various types of environmental projects by donating a percentage of their landfill tax liability.
Projects must conform to one of the following criteria:
projects that involve reclaiming land, the use of which has been prevented by some previous activity
projects that reduce or prevent pollution on land
projects that provide or maintain public amenities or parks within 10 miles of a landfill site
delivery of biodiversity conservation for UK species habitats
projects to restore or repair buildings for religious worship, or of architectural or historical interest within 10 miles of a landfill site
community based recycling, re-use and waste prevention projects
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Max award: £10,000
LaunchMe is an accelerator programme for ambitious, social enterprise start-ups in Scotland. It aims to develop a pool of strong, capable and ambitious social enterprises that can go on to secure investment, so they can achieve social impact at scale.
LaunchMe is looking to support eight social enterprises with the commitment and ambition to grow and achieve greater social impact.
To be eligible for LaunchMe, the enterprise must:
Be based in Scotland and operating primarily for the benefit of people, or communities, in Scotland.
Not be involved in political campaigning or the advancement of religion.
Provide direct social benefit to individuals, communities and/or the environment.
As a LaunchMe participant, applicants can expect the following:
A bespoke programme of support tailored to the needs of the business.
Access to expert training – applicants will attend workshops delivered by experts in different business areas – from social impact to market research and more.
A peer network – coming together with other LaunchMe participants to share experiences, learn from each other, and foster collaboration.
Signposting and support to approach loan providers, funders and social investors.
A hands-on, knowledgeable, and dedicated support team that will encourage, challenge and champion the business so applicants get the most out of the programme.
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Max award: £1,000
Lintel Trust works with housing associations and their partners to support housing and community projects in Scotland that enable people to live independently in their homes and to play an active part in their communities.
The funding is intended for local projects that help people to maintain their tenancies, improve their lives and participate fully in community life.
Projects must fall under one of the following themes:
Social isolation.
Support for older people.
Digital participation.
Grants of either £500 or £1,000 are available. The grant value must make up more than 30% of the total project cost. Limited funding is available. Small registered charities and community groups working in Scotland can apply.
To be eligible, applicants must have:
A close connection to a housing association, housing co-operative or local authority.
An annual turnover under £500,000.
Equal Opportunities and Protecting Vulnerable People policies in place.
Have a project aim that matches one of the Lintel Trust’s funding streams.
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Max award: £2,000
Grants range from £300 to £2,000 with new applications at the lower end of this scale.
To be eligible, applicants must:
Have been established for more than one financial year.
Be able to provide a full set of their most recent reports and accounts, or the equivalent of, if their annual income is under £25,000.
Funding is available for long-term, core funding for various running costs such as volunteer expenses, training days or equipment maintenance for charities working in the following fields:
Arts and heritage.
Education and training.
Environmental causes and animal welfare.
Healthcare.
Social welfare.
Applicants should demonstrate that they have understood the type of funding which the Trust provides and illustrate how this would benefit their charity on a long-term basis.
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Max award: £15,000
The Tree Council and Network Rail are once again working in partnership to deliver a programme of community tree planting for the 2023/24 tree planting season.
Together, we have already planted more than 300,000 trees in 108 communities across the UK. For the 2023/24 tree planting season we will award funding for projects in three bands:
Main Grants - Projects between £2,500 and £5,000
Large Grants - Projects between £5,000 and £15,000
Flagship Grants - Projects over £15,000
Flagship Grants will be awarded in limited numbers to those projects that deliver a significant impact across our programme priorities. If you are interested in applying to this fund, please email grants@treecouncil.org.uk to find out more.
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Max award: £3,000
The Trust does not maintain a website. Applications may be submitted at any time. Applications should be accompanied where appropriate by up to date accounts or financial information.
Due to the large number of unsolicited applications received each week, the Trustees are not able to notify applicants who are unsuccessful.
For further information on how to obtain this fund, please contact the following:
Enquiries Misses Barrie Charitable Trust
34 Victoria Road
Dartmouth
Devon
TQ6 9SA
Tel: 01737 248065
The Trust offers grants to both national charities and local charities in Devon, Surrey, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Scotland for charitable work in the following areas:
General charitable purposes.
Advancement of health or saving of lives.
Arts, culture, heritage and science.
Amateur sport.
Environment, conservation and heritage.
Children and young people.
Older people.
People with disabilities.
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Max award: £10,000
Projects should address the following criteria:
Tackle poverty and social deprivation.
Enhance community spaces, facilities and services.
Improve health and wellbeing.
The funding is for specific projects that make a difference to people’s lives, with special consideration for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Capital spend or direct project delivery costs are supported.
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Max award: £10,000
Peatland ACTION funding - from Scottish Government - primarily supports on-the-ground peatland restoration activities and is open for applications from eligible land managers who have peatlands that would benefit from restoration.
There are no geographical restrictions or target areas for Peatland ACTION funding. Where appropriate, they also make multi-year offers for large-scale projects.
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Max award: £75,000
The Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund Round 3 is now open for applications. This funding will support community transport organisations in making the switch to zero emission vehicles. This funding has been provided by Transport Scotland, an agency of the Scottish Government. The grant fund is managed and administered by Energy Saving Trust. This funding will be from Monday 8th July 2024 and will run on a first come, first serve basis until all funding has been allocated.
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Min award: £250 | Max award: £1,000
‘Pockets and Prospects‘ grants to SCCAN member organisations are intended to help you to reach out and engage more widely across your community, to initiate collaboration and joining up of climate activity with wider issues of inequality and disadvantage such as food/fuel poverty, climate justice etc.
They invite bids on less than two sides of A4 on a first come first served basis, to johanna@sccan.scot
Please ensure you provide name of SCCAN Member Organisation, Contact Name and full contact details along with summary budget – between £250 and £1,000 – for the activities, and a short (one page) description of what the grant will enable you to do.
Please include a description of your current activities/approach and how the grant will change this and how you will monitor and evaluate the quantitative and qualitative impact of the proposed activity.
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Max award: £25,000
Grants up to £25,000 are available to help environmental organisations to respond quickly to crises or opportunities. They welcome applications for work to seize an unexpected opportunity or to react to an unexpected, external crisis, enabling a significant environmental win or avoiding a significant loss, such as political changes, pandemics, sudden natural or man-made disasters.
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Max award: £2,000
The funding is intended to support a broad range of charities and educational institutions in the UK, but particularly in Scotland. The Trust has a wide criteria for grant making. Some of the categories under which grants may be awarded are as follows:
The advancement of education.
The advancement of health.
The advancement of civic responsibility or community development.
The advancement of, arts, heritage, culture, or science.
The advancement of public participation in sport.
The advancement of environmental protection and improvement.
The relief of those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.
Any other purpose that may reasonably be regarded as analogous to any of the other preceding purposes.
Generally, most grants are in the range of between £250 and £2,000. One or two larger grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 may be awarded annually. An application form is available upon request from the Trust's Administrator. Contact the Russell Trust for further information.
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Max award: £50,000
SUEZ Communities Trust provides funds to undertake work that is eligible under the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (SLCF). Applications are considered for the five main areas of work:
Land Reclamation (Object A): The reclamation, remediation, restoration or other operation on land to facilitate economic, social or environmental use
Community Recycling (Object B): Community based recycling, re-use and waste prevention projects
Public Amenities (Object C): To provide, maintain or improve an amenity that is used primarily for leisure and recreation. The amenity must be open to all sections of the community for at least 104 days a year
Biodiversity (Object D): The conservation of biodiversity through the provision, conservation, restoration or enhancement of a natural habitat or the maintenance or recovery of a species in its natural habitat
Not-for-profit basis groups e.g. community groups, parish councils, charities, community interest companies, sports clubs, community associations, local authorities and voluntary organisations who own or hold a lease for the project site with at least 5 years remaining.
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Max award: £5,000
Funding can be used for core and project costs for charities registered in the UK. To be eligible charities must have an annual income over £50,000 and under £2,000,000. They are interested in charities working in environment and conservation which demonstrate:
Building strong communities and understanding how to engage with intended beneficiaries
Replicable and sustainable work
Value for money i.e. the costs vs the number of people reached and the scale of the programme
Maximising the use of volunteers
Support for older people
Support for marginalised/vulnerable younger people
Use of helplines and information support services
Sustainability of funding i.e. the charity will not be solely reliant on the grant for their work
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Max award: £500
Small, one-off grants are available for the benefit of local communities around Scotmid stores. Activities should focus on one of the following categories:
Children/Education (eg. schools groups)
Health (eg. promotion of healthy eating)
Fairtrade
Homelessness/Poverty
Arts and Culture (eg. community musical festivals)
Environment (eg. promoting a clean/healthy environment)
Elderly
Active Lifestyles (eg. encouraging exercise/fitness/sport)
The group or project must be based in or benefit a community served by one of our stores and within the geographic boundaries of one of Scotmid's Regional Committees.
There are no deadlines, however you must apply at least eight weeks prior to when the grant is required.
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Max award: £250
SEAD provides small grants for individuals or groups for positive action, and campaigning. They fund proposals where the grant will have the most impact, for example, helping a new campaign to get started, or funding a specific concrete action for a local community.
They are particularly interested in applications that focus campaign activity on the following areas: women’s rights, young people and their global rights, climate justice, inequality, poverty and health justice.
Notes on award amounts: Grants are typically £100 - £250. Annual total from 2021 accounts.
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Max award: £5,000
Grants up to £5,000 are available to support voluntary and community organisations, development trusts, social enterprises, charities and local authorities for projects and activities that encourage people to use woods more.
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Fund total: £11,000
The aim of the new Scottish Learning Fund is to enable early-stage and / or small community-based groups in Scotland who are involved in marine conservation activities to learn, share knowledge, network and develop skills with other groups.
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Max award: £2.500
The purpose of the fund is to reduce the impact of single-use plastic water bottles on coastal habitats by funding communities to purchase water drinking fountains and install them for public use in busy or environmentally important areas.
Grants of up to £2,500 are available, per applicant, towards the cost of a fountain.
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Max award: £250
The Fund aims to support individuals and small community organisations run campaign activity in accordance with the main aims of SEAD:
To challenge the causes of poverty, social injustice, and environmental degradation.
To support community-based movement for positive social change with both local and global perspectives.
Grants range from £50 to £250.
Applications will be considered for campaign activity in the following areas: Women’s rights. Young people and their global rights. Climate justice. Poverty. Health injustice.
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Max award: £50,000
Strengthening Organisations is a new programme for Scotland with the aim of strengthening and building capacity for not-for-profit organisations throughout Scotland.
The Fund is intended to give existing grant holders the capacity to tackle challenges and try fresh ideas and approaches.
Grants of between £300 to £50,000 are available for up to two years.
To be eligible, organisations must:
Be based in Scotland.
Currently have funding from the NLCF for one or more projects.
Work with people affected by poverty, disadvantage or discrimination.
Involve the people they support in designing how they work.
Eligible projects must meet one or both of the following outcomes:
Overcoming challenges and plan for the future.
Adapting services when things change.
Improving planning and management of staff or resources.
Making services or the organisation more effective and efficient.
Improving processes or technology.
Pilot something that has worked elsewhere.
Increasing opportunities for people to have a say in the work.
Testing ways to help reach different people.
Connecting with other organisations to share learning or resources.
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Max award: £3,000
The Trust prefers to help fund humanitarian projects and activities that share this vision and that have any of these characteristics:
The project or activity has been initiated by people living at the grassroots who are empowered to find the solutions to their own problems
The project has a relatively simple, clear set of objectives and actions that further the vision of the Trust
The project develops the capacity of individuals, their communities or their institutions helping them to help themselves
The project enhances the learning of individuals, their communities or their institutions; The project’s ‘beneficiaries’ participate in the management and running of the project or activity
The project’s ‘beneficiaries’ have suffered, or are suffering, from injustice, poverty or personal circumstances that are difficult for the individual to overcome without assistance.
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Max award: £20,000
For registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £200,000.
Unrestricted or restricted revenue funding of between £5,000 and £20,000 per year, normally for 3 years but may be considered for up to five years in exceptional circumstances.
This can include the costs of equipment to support your work.
For work that is clearly and intentionally aligned to a priority described within one or more of our funding themes.
Details of our themes and priorities are as follows:
Financial Security
Education Pathways
Work Pathways
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Max award: £5,000
For constituted community groups and registered charities with an annual income of less than £30,000.
Organisations who support people who are experiencing (or are at high risk of experiencing) poverty and trauma.
The Robertson Trust’s strategy is about preventing and reducing poverty and trauma for people and communities in Scotland. Within this, we recognise the importance of strong, supportive and connected communities for people who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing poverty and trauma.
We also understand the key role played by grassroots groups in helping to build these. We recognise that many organisations applying for a Wee Grant may not exist to tackle poverty and trauma specifically, but that their work to create social connections, peer supports and access to essential services benefits those who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing these issues.
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Max award: £25,000
Valencia Communities Fund supports community, heritage and biodiversity projects located within 10 miles of any active landfill site or transfer station accepting 2,500 tonnes of waste.
Applications to Valencia Communities Fund must be for distinct, whole projects and may be part of a phase of works of a larger project of no more than £100,000.
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Max award: £500,000
They will fund formal partnership projects that reach more people by either:
linking climate action to the everyday lives and interests of local communities. And inspiring them to take action.
influencing communities at a regional or national level. Like linking up groups across locations. Or a campaign that inspires change across one country, or the whole UK. They want to reach people who are new to climate action by funding other types of organisations too. And by using people’s everyday activities as a starting point for climate action.
They are particularly interested in projects that involve people, places and communities experiencing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage.
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Max award: £350
The Workplace Charging Scheme is provided by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
The Workplace Charging Scheme provides support for organisations towards the cost of installing up to 40 electric vehicle charge point sockets at their sites. The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of: £350 per socket. 40 sockets across all sites per applicant.
It is open to eligible businesses, charities, public sector organisations, and small accommodation businesses.
Local & Regional Funds
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Max award: £2,000
The Cycle Access Fund for 2024/25 has been provided by four Scottish Regional Transport Partnerships:
South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran).
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
Shetland's Transport Partnership (ZetTrans).
North East Partnership for Transport (NESTRANS).
The Fund is being administered by Cycling UK. Four funding strands are available:
Individual Bike Ownership – to support organisations that work with adults that are struggling financially to purchase cycles for individuals. Funding for this strand is extremely limited.
Shared Use – to support organisations to purchase cycles and equipment’s for non-ownership options.
Recycle – for bike repair organisations and bike recycling centres. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to be spent on £250 per bike and accessories package.
Repair – for bike repair organisations and bike recycling centres. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to be spent on repairs of up to £100 per bike.
There is no limit to the number of funding strands that can be applied for.
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Max award: No specification
Community benefit funding to eligible projects in 10 beneficiary Community Council areas in the vicinity of Beinn Tharsuinn windfarm. These are Kiltearn, Ardross, Alness, Invergordon, Kilmuir and Logie Easter, Tain, Edderton, Ardgay, Creich, Dornoch Applicants are advised to contact the Community Council to discuss proposals before applying.
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Max award: £100,000
The Community Development Fund supports a wide range of local capital projects, such as sports facilities, gardens, slipways, village halls, heritage centres, play parks and exhibitions.
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Max award: £2,000
“Infrastructure” can cover everything from new waste bins, additional signs, or renovations to community tree planting, redecorating the village hall, or creating a wildflower meadow. The overall aim is to create more resilient community structures and spaces for the region, and to make the North Highlands an even better place to live.
The programme will consider grants of up to £2,000 which fit at least one of the following priorities:
Litter, recycling and waste capacity within the local area, including public toilets and motorhome facilities
Creation and identification of designated visitor parking areas, esp. for larger vehicles
More effective visitor signage and information on local facilities or amenities
Community well–being services that make our communities better places to live and work.
Community centers and spaces that bring your communities together
Sustainability and environmental Improvements and he encouragement of biodiversity or green spaces
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Max award: £250,000
The funding is a non-repayable grant of up to £250,000, which will cover between 10% and 40% of the total cost of a project. The minimum grant award is £20,000.
Projects with a total cost of £50,000 or less are therefore unlikely to be eligible. Projects can include anything that helps businesses and social enterprises to reduce carbon emissions and make progress towards achieving net zero, for example through energy efficiency measures, renewables, or waste management.
They will prioritise projects based in remote and rural areas where applicants may be eligible for up to 50% funding. HIE’s contribution to projects will be based on the financial need of the business or social enterprise. Applicants will be required to provide financial information on request to allow an assessment to be made.
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Max award: No specification
Each of the 21 council wards receives a discretionary budget and it will be for each ward to consider when they wish to commit funds. Any reasonable applications, normally from community groups and organisations will be considered. Some projects will be given priority, including those which attract funding from other sources. Examples of activity previously funded: beach cleaning; Christmas events and lights; equipment for pre-school groups; firework displays.
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Max award: £200
The aim of the grant scheme is to offer small, easily accessible grants to promote the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of waste in Orkney.
The grant is open to applications from:
Individuals from age 5 (supported by parent/guardian when applicant under 16 years old)
Community organisations
Schools
Church Groups
Charitable Groups
The scheme will run for two grant periods a year (Spring and Autumn).
Applicants can only apply once within a grant period and the money must be spent within 1 year.
Grants will be awarded for project associated with:
Waste Repurposing and Reuse
Waste Reduction
Waste Recycling
Travel within Orkney associated with the aims of the grant
Training within the aims of the grant
Please email OZW Administrator Nicky Getgood at orkzerowaste@gmail.com for an application form.
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Max award: £10,000
The broad aim of the Heart of the Community Grant Trust is to provide financial grants for community projects that deliver lasting change within the regions in which the Company operates. Those regions are: Shetland, Orkney, Highland and Argyll.
The over-arching principle for grant allocation will be to deliver lasting change within communities using the following criteria:
Health and Health Promotion
Education
Personal Development that leads to the enhancement of a community
Community Projects that benefit the majority
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Max award: £25,000
Through the Economic Development grant scheme, financial assistance is provided to assist applicants with the costs related to developing projects, where these projects meet key eligibility criteria and will result in extensive local benefits.
Projects applying for assistance under the Economic Development Grant Scheme will be expected to demonstrate that a number of the following primary outcomes can realistically be achieved:
Improved product quality
Import substitution
New market development
Improved productivity
Improved service delivery
Introduce new or improved manufacturing processes
Introduce new business activity
Projects which cannot demonstrate that they will achieve one or more of the above primary outcomes will not be considered for grant assistance.
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Max award: £100,000
The Shetland Islands Council Coastal Communities Fund offers grants of between £5,000 and £100,000 to projects that support the community and economic development of Shetland by investing in infrastructure, community capacity building, developing community assets and encouraging inclusive growth. Coastal Communities funding may be used to:
develop and regenerate Shetland communities, including infrastructure and community assets
create and safeguard sustainable economic growth and jobs
provide rural communities with the means and opportunity to address issues of poverty, access and inclusion, disadvantage and inequality
contribute to the net zero agenda through carbon reduction and renewable energy
support communities to develop projects that promote and develop local resilience in areas such as food supply, connectivity and energy
support community capacity building and community development
support opportunities for skills development and learning experiences
add value to Shetland’s economy through collective efforts including supporting the promotion of local produce and facilities, developing new products and external markets, and improving sustainability
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Max award: £500
Groups must be members of the TCV Community Network prior to applying for a TCV Chestnut Fund grant.
The grants fall into two categories – ‘Start-up’ grants and ‘Support’ grants.
Start-up Grants
These are for groups who have little or no money when they are first set up and are available to groups in their first year of existence.
The grant will enable them to begin practical work and will cover administrative expenses, e.g. insurance fees, postage, publicity or hire of meeting rooms.
The maximum grant will be £200.
Support Grants
These are for groups who have little or no money for tools, equipment and training.
This grant is available to all groups, regardless of how long they have been constituted.
The maximum grant will be £500.
Groups within their first year can apply for both the start-up grant and the support grant. We are keen to support our members to make applications and our Community Network Coordinator is available to help you with any questions you may have.
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Max award: £10,000
All projects that they support have to meet our charitable objectives and in particular must contribute to reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and finite resources.
Your project should seek to address the climate emergency and ways of living that are consistent with the resource limits of the planet. We are particularly interested in:
Applications from grassroots organisations challenging current unsustainable practice
Applicants attentive to equality, equity and fairness
Small to medium size projects where Pebble Trust funding forms a major part of project costs
Projects where our funding will make a real difference to making the project happen
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Max award: £25,000
The three main aims of this grant are to:
Make using public and community transport services easier.
Help provide and improve equipment or facilities that help people travel more easily, whether that’s walking, using a wheelchair or cycle or something else.
Promote activities to encourage and build people’s confidence to use active travel to get around.
Here’s what you need to know:
The grant is open for applications of projects ranging from £1,000 - £25,000.
Organisations or businesses must be proposing projects based in the Cairngorms National Park.
This includes voluntary or community groups, businesses, workplaces or public sector projects.
Grants can be awarded up to 100% of the total cost of the project, though this may vary according to each individual project.
It is essential that you are constituted and have a bank account.
Infrastructure works are not eligible.