Welcome to the KDP Bulletin.
The Aberdeenshire Local Action Group’s Rural Communities Challenge Fund 2024-25 closes for applications on Sunday 11th August.
Grants are being invited from community groups, public sector organisations, charities and cooperatives throughout Aberdeenshire and can fund specific activities aimed at benefitting rural communities in the region.
Applications will be assessed and approved by the Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (LAG), a cross-sector partnership which represents rural communities throughout Aberdeenshire.
Grants will be targeted towards capital expenditure which can be delivered before 28th February 2025 and supports one or more of the following priorities:
1) Low Carbon Community Buildings
2) Active and Connected Communities
Grants between £10,000 and £49,999 will be available, and a minimum 10% match funding contribution to projects by applicants is desirable but not essential.
Potential applicants can access the application form and guidance here.
Applicants are also encouraged to contact us for more information and support at externalfunding@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Tackling Poverty & Inequalities and The Poverty Alliance will be delivering in-person sessions focussing on Poverty Awareness. These free sessions will be in South, Central, North West and North Aberdeenshire.
The details for the session to be held in Stonehaven are as follows:
Tues 3rd Sept 10am – 1pm, Stonehaven Community Education Centre
The first 2 hours of the session will focus on delivering the following learning outcomes:
- What the main drivers of poverty are – national context
- Learn more about the poverty premium and rural poverty – local context
- Understand more about the origins of poverty related stigma
- Reflect on your policy and practice
This will be followed by a networking lunch with attendees.
Book your place here.
The Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund is an opportunity for communities to put forward projects that match local needs and priorities and will enable us to create a greener region. Residents are then invited to have the final say over which initiatives are funded through a public vote.
The Fund will reopen on Monday 19th August with £333,333 for Aberdeenshire. The application deadline is 4thSeptember.
Online sessions are being held to assist the process, with dates and booking information available here.
Find out more about the Fund here.
How would a shift to longer-term funding of three years or more support third sector organisations? Every year the Social Justice and Social Security Committee looks at what the Scottish Government could consider when developing its budget.
The Committee has heard of concerns about funding challenges faced by the Third Sector. The Committee wants to examine how the Scottish Government’s approach to fair and efficient funding can contribute to the continued effectiveness of the sector.
The Committee wants to hear views in this online consultation, which closes on 16th August.
The Cruach Trust is a small Scottish charity, which provides financial support for the natural environment including gardens, and for community and music-related organisations throughout the United Kingdom.
The Trust will only consider applications from Scottish organisations with an income of less than £100,000 and will award grants up to a maximum of £2000. The next meeting of the panel will be in September, so applications should be submitted soon.
For more information visit their website.
AVA will be hosting an informal session (online) on Tuesday 27th August 2024 at 12.00 -13.30pm with the theme of Support for Families. The session will feature a series of speakers presenting details on what their groups and services do and any upcoming projects they have planned.
There will also be updates from Children Services – Whole Family Wellbeing Group.
Please register here to attend – Network Members Meeting Registration
Closing date to register is 23rd August 2024.
A reminder that the National Lottery Community Fund will close three of their existing funds – Community Led, Improving Lives and Cost-of-Living Support Scotland – at noon on 21 August 2024.
They expect demand to be high so encourage potential applicants to speak to them well in advance of the closing date.
You can contact the team on advicescotland@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk or call 0300 123 7110.
FoodLink NE is a new project that is working to develop a Local Food Network (LFN) for Aberdeenshire. Such a network, in some form, is expected to become an alternative strategy to supermarket food procurement by connecting producers and customers using the shortest possible supply chains, while achieving social, economic and environmental goals.
This project is being run by a group of local growers and associates in partnership with The James Hutton Institute, NESCAN, Fair Food Aberdeenshire, The Landworkers Alliance and The Mixing Bowl Aberdeen.
Development of a new Local Food Network will start with a feasibility study of two phases. Phase 1 will run from June 2024 to September 2024.
Further details of the study can be found here.
If you want to get involved and/or find out more, please subscribe to FoodLink NE to keep updated with the progress of the project. You can also email francesca@nescan.org to find out more.
LNER’s Customer and Community Investment Fund (CCIF) works to support charities and causes along their route. It provides vital funding to small and medium sized projects that deliver a positive impact to issues that are important to them.
There are three priorities: Better for People, Better for Places and Better for Planet
- Better for People
- Fostering a culture of equality, that champions diversity and inclusivity.
- Creating a culture of positive mental health, bringing people and communities together.
- Better for Places
- Creating skilled and inclusive communities along our networks that can thrive.
- Better for Planet
- Conserve resources, reduce waste and reuse where possible.
The maximum amount that can be applied for is £10,000, and the next deadline is 2nd September.
Learn more about the fund and how to apply here.
People Know How, run a free Digital Support Helpline in partnership with the Scottish Government and SCVO. The helpline offers free digital support and advice to anyone who lives in Scotland on topics such as:
- Using devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop computers
- Connecting to the internet
- Navigating the web and social media
- Completing everyday tasks online
- Connecting with the community, family and friends
- Managing finances, paying bills and saving money online
- Learning more about the upcoming PSTN phone line switch-over to digital
The helpline can be called on 0800 059 0690.
Greenspace Aberdeenshire is offering mini-orchard packs to 60 community groups across Aberdeenshire on a first-come, first-served basis, provided the criteria are met.
Each pack contains 8 fruit trees, or 4 fruit trees and several fruit bushes, supplied by Scottish Heritage Fruit Trees.
This project aims to increase free fruit picking in public spaces, improve visual amenity with pretty blossoms and berries, develop planting and maintenance skills for people of all ages, and support insects and wildlife, particularly our pollinator friends.
Aberdeenshire Council land is the preferred location for planting; however, community-owned land is also acceptable. Any planting proposed within public open space will require consultation with council departments, neighbouring houses, and the wider community.
This project is funded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund and will contribute to Aberdeenshire Council’s Pollinator Action Plan 2022-2027 and food growing provision.
For the application form, please email greenspace@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
SSEN’s Powering Communities to Net Zero fund’s core aim is to help communities become more resilient, and to support the adoption of low-carbon technologies.
There are two categories of funding:
- Low Carbon Technology: Funding available over the next four years will also be available for non-profit organisations to apply for grants to go towards the purchase of new Low-Carbon Technology. Grants of up to £20,000 will be awarded to successful applicants in this category.
- Physical and Environmental: Funding is available over the next four years to enable communities to apply for grants that will bolster physical and environmental resilience measures. The fund will support projects that enhance community facilities, services and communication specifically to mitigate the impact of, or support the local response to a significant emergency such as extended power loss or severe weather events or climate change. Further details of the criteria are found in the fund guidance and in the application form. Grants of up to £15,000 will be awarded to successful applicants in this category.
Please visit the SSEN website for full details of what can be supported by the fund as well as guidance on which projects will be prioritised.
August 1, 2024 / KDP Bulletins