Shedloads of Opportunities

• N/A

There are 32 Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) across Scotland; one in each local authority area which can provide help and advice to source and apply for funding for local charities and community groups.

• Community Development
• Environmental/Green Infrastructure
• Health & Wellbeing

Volunteering Matters Action Earth - offer grants to help urban communities to respond to our nature and climate crises. Any group of volunteers in urban areas are able to apply for Volunteering Matters Action Earth nature grants up to £250 to run environmental activities in
green spaces in built-up areas and centres of population. Applications should make major environmental impacts and/or involve mass participation. Applications prioritised from volunteer groups that do any of the following:

• Work in areas where there is substantial social or economic deprivation
• Improve and develop the health and wellbeing of their local community
• Involve disabled people, vulnerable people or those at risk of exclusion
• Encourage and involve people under 26 in practical outdoor conservation

Projects must be completed by 28 February 2027

• Health & Wellbeing
• Older People
• Trusts/Foundations

The W. G Edwards Charitable Foundation is an independent grant-making charity which assists with the provision of care for the over-65s. The Foundation makes small grants to improve the health and wellbeing of people over the age of 65 in the UK. This could be assistance towards a capital project such as refurbishment, furniture or equipment; or towards an innovative project such as fitness classes, lunch clubs, gardening projects, etc. The Foundation only supports items or projects where at least 90% of the beneficiaries are over the age of 65.

Around 100 organisations each year are successful in obtaining grants usually between £1,000 to £1,500.

• 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.