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

• Environmental/Green Infrastructure
• Health & Wellbeing

Funding for registered UK Charities in the fields of the advancement of the arts, health and medical welfare and environmental protection or improvement. Core cost or project funding considered. An example grant is setting up a therapeutic gardening project.

The deadline for applications for small charity grants (charities with an annual income of £5m and under) is 1st June 2026. The deadline for first-stage applications for large charity grants (charities with an annual income of above £5m) is 8th May 2026. Second-stage applications for Large Charities will be 1st June 2026.

The next grants will be decided in mid-July 2026. Applicants will be informed by the end of August.

• Community Development

Funding for projects which contribute to collaboration and community empowerment through inclusion, equality and diversity in the Outer Hebrides.

• Community Development
• Energy Efficiency
• Trusts/Foundations

Not-for-profit community projects can apply for up to 50% of the costs of an electricity connection within the Scottish Hydro-Electric Distribution area, particularly those in rural areas.

• Capital & Equipment

Funding can be spent on capital investment only. Revenue or operating costs are not eligible, except for, directly related architect fees and professional costs (10% of the total eligible project costs considered maximum).

Funds can be used for:

improving vacant premises to attract new tenants
conversion costs to enable new/expanded uses
installation of, or upgrades to, fixtures and fittings
energy efficiency improvements
accessibility improvements
external works and cosmetic improvements
This fund is designed to help bring vacant high street and town centre premises across the Falkirk area back into use.

It is recognised that high streets are changing and this fund is aimed at helping landlords and tenants adapt to changing consumer demands where a capital investment can open up new or more sustainable uses, in a currently vacant premise. The fund will help address the issue of vacant town centre unit space (priority will be given to ground floor units), stimulate new start-up activity and support business and Third Sector expansion. This will help improve amenities, increase footfall and contribute to re-shaping and creating vibrant town centre environments.

Applicants must not have commenced any of the activities for which they are applying for funding. No supplier invoices should be received and no supplier payments made before the grant award date.