Shedloads of Opportunities

• Capital & Equipment

Grants are being invited from community groups, charities and cooperatives throughout Aberdeenshire (excluding the Cairngorms area) and can fund specific activities aimed at benefitting rural communities in the region.

There are two types of grants available:

Capital grants for new projects to support expenditure on assets which will last longer than one year, for expenditure such as:

The purchase of equipment over £6,000
Improvement to buildings and property
Construction of paths
Retrofit upgrades to properties
Revenue grants to support new projects, which are not capital and not part of the core running costs of the organisation, such as:

Feasibility studies
Alleviation of poverty measures
Access to services
Supporting children to gain new skills
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 2027 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

• Community Development
• Environmental/Green Infrastructure
• General & Misc

The fund supports community groups in Argyll and Bute. Projects should demonstrate the following key priorities: fairer communities, resilient communities, cleaner, greener communities and creative communities.

Applications for funding of events and festivals are expected to bring economic benefit to the relevant area and have a developmental aspect.

Applications to the fund must evidence direct benefit to vulnerable individuals and groups in the local community and partnership working where relevant.

The Supporting Communities Fund 2026 / 27 is now open. Deadline for applications is: 23.59pm on Sunday 5th July 2026.

• Capital & Equipment
• General & Misc
• Social Connection Projects

Grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 are available for small, local groups in the UK to improve community spaces and places where local people can be together and thrive.

Eligible project costs may include materials, tradespeople and equipment costs. The space being applied for must be used by a range of groups for multiple activities on a regular basis or will be used in this way once the project is complete.

• Education & Skills

This initiative is aimed at people at the beginning of a career in woodworking or those who wish to develop a specialist skill to support their existing career. SMSA partner Axminster Tools' programme recognises new woodworking talent and rewards them with the opportunity to learn.

Every six months, Axminster will choose one budding woodworker to spend the day with their experts. Successful Sheds are encouraged to advise the SMSA in order to promote this opportunity to other Sheds.

• General & Misc
• Trusts/Foundations

Bank of Scotland Foundation recognises the profound impact that the cost of living crisis is having on people across Scotland. To ensure funding can reach those in real need, the Empower grants programme this year will solely focus on helping charities who support vulnerable groups/people. The Empower programme provides unrestricted funding which can be used towards core costs, delivery costs, project costs and/or general running costs enabling charities to use their funding in the way that helps them best. Through the programme, charities will also have the opportunity for strategic support from Lloyds Banking Group colleagues to add value for the charity and the people they help.