Funding

Views are being sought on ways to improve how communities will receive additional benefits from renewable energy developments.

‘Community benefits’ are provided by developers to local groups and can include funding, actions such as in-kind works, the direct support of projects, or other site-specific benefits – such as a reduction in energy bills through local electricity discount schemes or building affordable housing.

The Moray Eco Youth Fund for Sustainability is now open to applications.

An amount of £33,333 from Moray’s portion of Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund has been dedicated to youth-led sustainability projects.

The Community Ownership Fund is still open to applications until 31 March 2025.

The £150 million fund is being run over 4 years and supports community groups across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community.

A £20 million fund will help Scotland’s islands to play a crucial role in Scotland's society, culture and economy.

The capital investment, to be split equally between the two local authorities as part of the 2025/26 Budget, would help to sustain and improve inter‑island connectivity in a way that best meets local needs. 

NatureScot has awarded grants totalling over £1 million to projects that will restore bogs for rare dragonflies in northern Scotland, create hedgerows for sparrows in Glasgow and help bring back native oysters to the Bay of Firth in Orkney.

The Scottish Land Fund (SLF) has awarded 10 grants across the country totalling nearly £2m this year to community groups.

The Fund supports rural and urban communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets.

The National Lottery Community Fund (Scotland) has today unveiled two new funding streams: Fairer Life Chances, and Community Action. Both funds are open to applications now, with no deadlines currently in sight.

Community Action and Fairer Life Chances will both focus on helping communities to tackle poverty, disadvantage, and discrimination, and ask groups to demonstrate how they will reach and support people facing these challenges.

This week saw the Scottish Budget for 2025-26 presented to the Scottish Parliament by Finance Secretary Shona Robison. 

The Finance Secretary outined how the budget will deliver progress for the people of Scotland, with a record increase in frontline NHS spending, and plans to lift 15,000 children out of poverty by mitigating the UK Government’s two-child limit from 2026.

The Paths for All fund, the Ian Findlay Path Fund (IFPF), supports the improvement of local path networks within and between communities, making it easier for people to choose to walk wheel or cycle for everyday journeys. 

The Highlands & Islands Climate Hub are inviting expressions of interest from its members to support community spaces transition to becoming environmentally friendly.

They are offering its members who operate community spaces, support to implement sustainable practices and be part of a network of organisations committed to creating climate conscious communities across the region.