| Welcome to the KDP Bulletin. There’s not been a Bulletin for a few weeks, so this one is packed full of funding options and other interesting information. We’re also delighted to put the ‘Spotlight On’ The Community Collective in this edition. What an inspirational group they are. We hope you all have a lovely summer, but don’t forget we are here if you need us. It may just take a little longer to get back to you, as we enjoy a wee break too. |
| KDP is here to help in any way we can. Please get in touch if we can assist you or your Community group. |
The Community Collective: Creating Connections in Kincardine & Mearns
The Community Collective is a Stonehaven based entirely volunteer led and run organisation dedicated to fostering connections and creating a sense of belonging across Kincardine & Mearns. We are proud to host Aberdeenshire’s first Public Living Room in conjunction with The Association of Cameradoes.
The Living Room is not a café. It’s a welcoming ‘third space’. A home-from-home for those facing tough times or seeking to support others. Here, you’ll find friendly faces, meaningful conversations and a truly inclusive environment. There’s no agenda, no judgement and everyone is welcome at our table.
Our pay-as-you-can model makes us unique. Visitors decide what they can pay on any given day. Some may give a little, others more, helping ensure our sustainability and keeping The Living Room accessible to all.
We’re open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10am to 2pm at the Community Centre, Stonehaven. We also host “Blethers” on Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm. Visitors can enjoy breakfast, hot drinks, soup and hot lunches along with warmth, friendship, books, games, WiFi, and charging facilities.
Follow us on Facebook.
The Meikle Carewe Wind Farm Community Fund is open for applications until 30th September 2025.
The Fund is for any constituted community group, club, society, charity or other not-for-profit entity that operates and benefits residents living in the following Community Council areas (the Area of Benefit):
- Crathes, Drumoak and Durris
- Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore
- North Kincardine Rural
- Portlethen and District
- Stonehaven and District
This year, there is £39,572.48 available in the Fund.
Visit the KDP website for the Guidance Notes and Application Form.
For more information or assistance with completing an application, please contact margo@kdp.scot
The UK Government wants to gather opinions on its community benefits and shared ownership for low carbon energy infrastructure working paper. This will explore the possibility of introducing mandatory community benefits for low carbon energy infrastructure and shared ownership schemes.
The UK Government is keen to hear from all stakeholders with an interest in the policy area and would like to hear your views on:
- The scope of such a scheme
- How a scheme should be administered and enforced
- How best to facilitate shared ownership of renewable generation infrastructure.
If you would like to provide your views, please respond by Wednesday 16 July 2025.
Learn more and submit your views here.
The Aberdeenshire Local Action Group’s Rural Communities Challenge Fund 2025-26 has been launched and is now live and open for applications.
The programme delivers funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural Community Led Local Development programme.
Grants are being invited from community groups, charities and cooperatives throughout Aberdeenshire and can fund specific activities aimed at benefitting rural communities in the region.
Grants will be targeted towards capital expenditure which can be delivered before 28th February 2026 and supports one or more of the following priorities:
- An inclusive and connected Aberdeenshire – Enabling better connections within and across rural Aberdeenshire Communities
- Accountable and Fair Aberdeenshire – Ensuring no one community is left behind or exposed to the devastating effects of inequality and poverty.
- Sustainability of Places and Planet – Achieving a just transition to net zero through reducing emissions and regenerating the local environment
Grants of between £10,000 and £49,999 will be available for Capital Projects, and Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 for Revenue Projects. A minimum 10% match funding contribution to projects by applicants is desirable but not essential.
Potential applicants can access the application forms and guidance on the website.
Applicants are also encouraged to contact the Council for more information and support at externalfunding@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
The deadline for submission of applications isSunday 17th August 2025
As of 30 June 2025, charities can now submit their charity trustee information through OSCR Online.
This data will support OSCR’s regulatory work, and from early 2026, the names of charity trustees will be published on the Scottish Charity Register to promote transparency and strengthen public trust in the sector.
Charities can only submit trustee details on OSCR Online through one of their designated OSCR Online charity users. Any charity completing a new online annual return created on or after 30 June 2025, will be required to include charity trustee information as part of the submission. While this requirement does not apply to online annual returns created before 30 June 2025, OSCR would like to strongly encourage all Scottish charities to provide charity trustee details as soon as possible to ensure their compliance with the new legislation.
Visit the OSCR website for more information.
The Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund is available to 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.
Next deadline is midnight on 14 November 2025.
The grant may close earlier if the funding runs out.
Successful applicants will be notified within 5-6 weeks of a completed submission. Maximum £2500. Applications for grants under £500 are likely to be processed more quickly.
Find out more here.
A few weeks ago, we shared information on a project, funded by the Aberdeenshire Rural Poverty Fund, to gather evidence on the barriers to accessing healthy, nutritious, affordable food in Kincardine and Mearns, post Covid 19 and in the current cost of living crisis.
In general, there has been a superb reaction to the survey, but the more people who participate the better. Julie Gray, Chairperson of Fair Food Aberdeenshire and The Community Collective (Stonehaven), who is undertaking the project, would hugely appreciate more responses from families and those living in the South of K&M.
Here is the online survey. Please share the link with anyone who might be interested.
There is a Kincardine and Mearns Food Stories Facebook page which is currently being developed, and food related events in K&M can be shared to the page.
If you would like to discuss the project further or can help Julie engage with any K&M groups, please email kandmfoodstories@gmail.com.
Members of the public are being asked to have their say on proposals aimed at boosting the health, prosperity and wellbeing of communities by improving Scotland’s environment.
The draft Environment Strategy sets out the opportunities for strengthening Scotland’s economy and improving people’s lives as a result of restoring and regenerating biodiversity, cutting levels of pollution and waste, supporting national net zero targets and improving Scotland’s environmental impact on countries across the world.
It includes key government actions which aim to support green jobs and industries, tackle poverty and promote social justice.
Learn more and share your views here.
The Woodward Charitable Trust provides grants to organisations supporting disadvantaged families with young children up to age 11, and organisations that work directly with children of the same age group (0-11 years). At least 75% of your organisation’s work must align with this focus.
WCT will prioritise funding organisations who are working in one or more of the following areas:
- Parenting / caregiving support
- Educational programmes for children both in and out of school, such as those that aim to boost attainment, attendance or emotional wellbeing
- Programmes and activities that benefit children’s wellbeing and development
- Pre-natal and post-natal support services
Grants of up to £10,000 per year for core costs are available for a maximum of three years.
The fund is open until 12 noon on Thursday 31st July 2025.
Find out more here.
Wildlife experts, enthusiasts and volunteers will be holding public surveys everyday between 26th July and 3rd August 2025 as part of Sea Watch Foundation’s National Whale and Dolphin Watch!
This nine-day citizen science event is dedicated to studying the marine mammals found around the UK.
The UK is home to 31 cetacean species (whales, dolphins and porpoises), including harbour porpoise, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins and minke whales! During National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2024 over 1,600 sightings and 18 different species were recorded, including 3 shark species (thresher shark, blue shark and basking shark)!
If you would like to learn more about UK cetaceans and get actively involved, details on how to take part in Sea Watch Foundation’s nationwide event can be found on their website.
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to UK registered charities for projects that improve homes and community spaces for those most in need, such as those experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, poor health, disability, or other disadvantage or distress. The funding is made available by the B&Q Foundation to decorate, renovate, or create indoor and outdoor spaces where people can feel at home and have a sense of belonging.
Projects could include creating community gardens, redecorating properties, upgrading key fixtures and fittings, and creating new buildings or rooms.
The deadline for applications is 9.30 am on the 1st August 2025.
Visit the website for more information.
The Asda Foodbank Fundamentals Fund is specifically for organisations whose core purpose is to distribute food and alleviate food poverty in their local community.
Asda Foundation‘s goal is to help build resilient communities by funding grassroots groups to address local needs. In response to ongoing cost-of-living challenges and high demand for foodbanks and food providers, this grant helps to cover their essential needs.
If you are a foodbank or food service provider that needs to stock up on food, invest in equipment to expand your reach, or support the delivery of your services, the Foodbank Fundamentals Fund is here to help. Grants of £750 are available.
The application window opens on 15th July at 10am until 29th July at 10am, unless funds are allocated before then.
Find out more here.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Coastal Communities Challenge Fund is targeted at community groups, third sector organisations and small businesses on Aberdeenshire’s coastline and can fund a range of activities with positive economic, social or environmental impacts.
The fund distributes revenues generated by Crown Estate Scotland, with applications being assessed and approved by NESFLAG – the North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group – a cross-sector partnership comprising representatives from Aberdeenshire’s coastal and fishing sectors.
This year’s grants will be targeted towards activities or infrastructure which meet the following priorities:
- Supporting the development of active travel routes along, to and from the coastline
- Developing the coastal economy and sustainable tourism
- Creating or enhancing community, leisure and recreational facilities
- Safeguarding, restoring or enhancing the coastal environment
Grants between £10,000 and £49,999 will be available, and applicants must make a minimum 10% match funding contribution to projects.
Projects approved under this application round must be completed by 30th September 2026.
The deadline for submission of applications is noon on Monday 4th August 2025.
A copy of the application form and funding criteria/guidance can be downloaded at Coastal Communities Challenge Fund – Aberdeenshire Council.
For support with your application or any questions, please email coastalcommunities@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
July 10, 2025 / KDP Bulletins