Welcome to the first KDP Bulletin of 2026, and what a first few days we have had. As always, the amazing people of Kincardine & Mearns have come together to provide support, help, compassion and kindness in the most demanding of times. What an amazing place to live. Thank you to everyone who has helped make life a little easier over the last few days.
We kick off this year with a quick reminder of what KDP can do to help your community group or voluntary organisation.
- Community Consultation & Engagement
- Funding Enquiries & Applications
- Governance
- Volunteer Support
- Jargon Busting
- Project Planning
- Facilitation
- Signposting
If you are not currently a KDP member, we encourage you to join. Membership is free, and open to any constituted, non-political organisation within Kincardine & Mearns. If you would like to become a member, or you are unsure whether you are, just drop us an email.
Both Mairi and Margo work flexible, part-time hours so email is the best way to make contact, and we can always call you back. Our contact details are:
Mairi Eddie – Development Officer – mairi@kdp.scot
Margo Titmuss – Windfarm & Funding Officer – margo@kdp.scot
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if there is anything we can help with.
The St John’s Hill Windfarm Community Fund is open and accepting applications from groups and projects which benefit the communities living in the community council areas of:
- Arbuthnott
- Catterline, Kinneff & Dunnottar
There is a fund of £25,692.09, split equally between the two areas. In addition, Arbuthnott has returned funds and a historical underspend of £8,051.81, giving a fund total of £20,897.86, and Catterline, Kinneff & Dunnottar has a historical underspend of £6,688.48 giving a fund total of £19,534.52.
Guidance Notes and Application Forms are available on the KDP website.
Closing date – 31st March 2026.
If you have any questions or require support with an application, contact Margo@kdp.scot.
SCVO is excited to share that bookings are now open for The Gathering 2026.
They hope you will join them on 10th and 11th February 2026 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) to network, learn and be inspired at the UK’s largest free event for the voluntary sector.
This year’s programme is their biggest yet. With a selection of longer and more in-depth sessions, more networking and more variety.
Event places are filling up quickly, so make sure you book now to avoid missing out on the sessions and speakers you want to see.
It is free to attend the Gathering as a delegate, and this year Corra Foundation is offering some travel and subsistence bursaries. You’ll find more information about eligibility and support on their website.
The Delamere Dairy Foundation offers grants of up to £5,000 to charities and other not-for-profit organisations to support projects that benefit communities by:
- 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
The next application deadline is 31 January 2026.
Visit the website for more information.
Scarf helps with energy bills by offering free, expert advice in North East Scotland on reducing heating costs, accessing grants for energy efficiency, managing fuel debt, switching suppliers, and understanding schemes like the Warm Home Discount.
They provide home visits, phone support, and community talks to help households stay warm and save money.
Visit their website to learn more or request a call.
The Bairdwatson Charitable Trust supports organisations that provide training for employment, employment support, and vocational skills.
It will only support work with disadvantaged young people who are not engaging with education or who are leaving school without a positive destination, and who are furthest from the labour market. This includes support to help young people re-engage with school, progress to further education or training, develop skills for work, and move towards employment.
Grants of between £2,000 and £20,000 are available, and the next closing date is 6th February.
Visit the Foundation Scotland website for more information.
Scotland has taken a major step towards a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food future with the publication of its first National Good Food Nation Plan.
The plan outlines six overarching outcomes, supported by measurable targets and indicators, and brings together food-related policies from across government departments.
For rural and island communities, where food production is both a livelihood and a way of life, this plan represents a significant opportunity to shape Scotland’s food future.
You can access the plan here.
UK-registered charities can apply to the Calisen Impact Charitable Trust for grants to support projects that improve the environment, strengthen communities, or promote wellbeing.
The Trust supports community projects that encourage sustainable energy use and promote inclusive, safe, and diverse places to learn and work.
Past projects include partnerships with Eco-Schools, which help schools gain Green Flag accreditation and engage children in environmental action. The Trust has also supported Youth Zones, which provide nutritious meals for disadvantaged young people.
The Trust has not specified a total fund value or maximum grant amount. The next application deadline is 31 March 2026.
More here.
Grief is a deeply personal and often misunderstood experience, yet it touches all of us at some point in our lives. However it appears, grief can affect how we think, feel and function, both at home and at work.
Cruse is launching Navigating Grief in the Workplace, a new eLearning course designed for anyone who wants to build a more compassionate and supportive working environment.
The course will help to:
- Understand grief and recognise the many forms it can take
- Explore how grief can show up in workplace behaviour, communication and performance
- Respond with empathy, clarity and confidence when supporting a grieving colleague
- Engage with real-life stories and interactive activities that reflect genuine workplace scenarios
- Gain practical tools to help strengthen wellbeing and strengthen compassionate workplace culture
- Consider your own reactions to loss and how these shape the way you support others.
The cost of the course is £50/person, and the format is self-paced, eLearning.
To access the course, please email training@crusescotland.org.uk
The inaugural Small Charity Week match funding campaign will help to build the resilience, skills and profile of the small charity sector whilst helping them raise vital, unrestricted funding to further their impact.
Small Charity Week utilises Big Give’s ‘1:1’ model of match funding. Small charities apply to Big Give and their application is assessed by Big Give and their partner, Global’s Make Some Noise.
Successful charities are awarded a sum of match funding which is ring-fenced for their organisation. This match funding is unlocked by public donations given through Big Give’s online fundraising platform during the week of the campaign.
2026 Timeline:
- 5th January 2026: Applications open
- 11th February 2026 (5pm): Applications close
- 6th May 2026: Offer deadline
- 22nd – 29th June 2026 (Starts midday and ends at 5pm): Campaign
Find out more on the Big Give website.
Scottish Rural Action (SRA) is delighted to announce the return of Village Halls Week, which will take place 16th-22nd March 2026.
Village Halls Week 2026 will highlight the importance of village halls to the health and wellbeing of rural communities across England, Wales and Scotland. Read more about it here.
Thanks to sponsorship from Utility Aid, community buildings will receive free resources, including bunting, badges, and posters, to support local events and celebrate the impact of their work.
Registration is now open for village halls in Scotland to join this celebration.
Organisations such as schools, area sports associations, sports trusts and charities can apply to the Sport Facilities Fund for up to £200,000 to improve their sports facilities.
Grants are available to help with the provision or upgrading of sports facilities for the public good and that benefit the community. Priority will be given to projects which focus on increasing participation within underrepresented groups in sport such as young people, women and girls, disabled people or those from deprived communities.
The next closing date for applications is the 1st April 2026.
Get more information here.
Are you a community leader who has carried out a successful community energy project?
The Community Energy Launchpad is recruiting for mentors to support a peer-to-peer learning program. Mentors will be matched with a community organisation that is starting out on its own community energy resilience journey.
This is a great opportunity for those interested in sharing their knowledge and assisting others to understand best practices for implementing successful community-led energy projects.
To find out more about becoming a mentor, please email launchpad@communityenergy.scot.
