Welcome to the KDP Bulletin.
The Tullo & Twinshiels Windfarm Community Benefit Fund is open for applications until 31st March.
The fund is open to community and voluntary groups in the Community Council areas of:
- Arbuthnott
- Benholm and Johnshaven
- Gourdon
- Mearns
- Royal Burgh of Inverbervie
- St Cyrus
This year there is approximately £140,000 available.
The application form and guidelines can be found on the KDP website, and if you would like any support with your application, please contact Margo@kdp.scot.
The Portlethen Area Place Plan Survey is now live on Engage Aberdeenshire.
Aberdeenshire Council has with other public facing bodies (NHS, Police) followed direction from Scottish Government and adopted a Place Strategy.
A place-based approach is about understanding the assets, issues, and needs of a place, and coordinating action and investment to deliver better outcomes. It encourages and enables local flexibility to respond to issues and circumstances in different places. The strategy seeks to work more closely with communities in their role as custodians of local places and to find solutions through working with partners at a local level.
If you live within the catchment area of Portlethen Academy, please participate, share and promote this survey. There is also a QR code and Place Planning Document which can be shared.
Please be aware that the Stonehaven (Mackie Academy) engagement took place in 2025 and is now being evaluated. Subsequent Places Plans and accompanying engagement for Mearns Academy, also Banchory Academy will follow to cover all of our communities.
The Scottish Children’s Lottery Trust will support applications which:
- Will work with the most vulnerable children and young people who are at a demonstrably high risk of being negatively impacted by poverty.
- Demonstrate involvement of individuals and communities that understand and have experience of the issues that poverty presents.
Applications up to the value of £7500 will be accepted between 12 noon on the 6th April and 12 noon on 24th April.
More information can be found on the website.
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.
NESCAN Hub is looking for keen community groups and individuals interested in being part of a new planning group for Climate Week North East 2026.
You don’t need lots of prior event management experience (although that would be a bonus!), just be up for being a team player and bringing your ideas to the group. There is no minimum commitment needed but this opportunity will involve some planning meetings and feeding back your regular input and some light admin/networking work (if you wish to take it on).
If you are interested in hearing more, please email lauren@nescan.org. You are welcome to attend meetings and get a feel for the process, but there is no obligation to commit your time.
The Corra Foundation’s Household Hardship Fund provides small grants to charities, community groups and social enterprises across Scotland who can pass the funding on directly to families and children on low incomes.
* Groups can apply for up to £7,500 if their annual income is under £125,000.
* Groups can apply for up to £15,000 if their income is between £125,000 and £250,000.
The funding will be used to provide families and children with cash or vouchers to meet pressing needs such as food, fuel and clothing.
All funds must be passed on to families and children by 15 June 2026, and the minimum amount a group can apply for is £500.
More here.
Aberdeenshire Council is seeking input from the local community to select new play equipment for five play parks within Kincardine and Mearns.
As some of the popular pieces are nearing the end of their serviceable life, they aim to replace them with items that cater to a similar age range and offer equal or greater play value. The funds for this project, £195,000, will come solely from the Scottish Government Play Park Renewal Fund.
The play parks being upgraded are:
- Arbuthnott Parish Hall
- Catterline Recreation Park
- Laurencekirk Memorial & Glebe Field
- Portlethen Burnside Park
- St. Cyrus Recreation Park.
Proposals were received from five suppliers. The top three, following evaluation, have been shortlisted for public consultation. The design receiving the most public votes will be selected for installation.
To participate in the survey, you’ll need to sign up with an email address, and you can only fill it out once. This helps keep the results fair and accurate.
Be quick as the closing date is the 15th March.
Take part here.
Barchester’s Charitable Foundation’s funding focus is about connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community.
They support applications from community health professionals, community groups and registered charities that combat isolation and loneliness and enable older people and adults with disabilities to be active and engaged.
Their grants range from £100 up to £2,600.
The next funding window opens on 1st April.
Visit their website for more information.
Village halls across Scotland are being encouraged to take part in Village Halls Week 2026, a celebration to recognise the essential role these community spaces play in rural and island life.
Taking place from the 16th to 22nd of March, the campaign will shine a spotlight on the contribution village halls make to local wellbeing — from hosting social groups and community events to providing warm, welcoming spaces where people can connect, learn and support one another. Scottish Rural Action (SRA) is inviting halls of every size and setting to get involved and share what makes their space special.
This year’s theme focuses on the importance of village halls to the health and wellbeing of rural and island communities. Groups are encouraged to celebrate their volunteers, highlight local activities, and showcase the difference their hall makes — whether that’s offering a lifeline service, supporting local clubs, or simply giving neighbours a place to gather.
Taking part is simple. Halls can share stories, photos, events or activities throughout the week, helping to raise awareness of the vital role these spaces play in community life. Full details on how to get involved are available at VillageHallsWeek2026
The Scotmid Community Orchard initiative supports communities throughout Scotland and northern England.
Local groups are eligible to apply for up to £200 to plant fruit trees and shrubs near their stores—promoting physical activity, enhancing green spaces, and fostering community connections.
These orchards provide chances for volunteering, education, wildlife habitats, and fresh fruit.
Hundreds of trees have already been planted, and participants can join their Facebook community to exchange advice and experiences.
Apply here.
The Short Breaks Bureau supports carers and the people they care for to access personalised short breaks (also known as innovative respite).
The service offers practical support and advice to people planning a short break. They work with Health and Social Care staff to make sure that the carer, and the person being cared for, get the best break possible.
You can access support from the Short Breaks Bureau if you care for someone who has:
- a learning disability
- a physical disability
- a long-term condition such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis (MS)
- mental health problems
Learn more here.
Not-for-profit organisations in Scotland can apply for funding improving public amenities, repairing religious or historic buildings, and supporting biodiversity near SUEZ landfill sites. Grants of up to £40,000 are available through the SUEZ Communities Fund.
Funding typically covers materials, equipment, and contractor costs. The application deadline is 13 May 2026, and as the Scottish Government announced in January 2026 that the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (SLCF) will close to new contributions from Landfill Operators, this will be the last opportunity to apply to this Fund.
Find out more and apply here.
Only 1 week left to apply for this year’s Scottish Charity Awards – your chance to shine a light on the positive impact your organisation, team or an inspiring individual has made over the past year.
All types of Scottish voluntary organisations and groups, including registered charities, social enterprises, campaigning groups, community interest companies and people involved in those spaces can apply.
SCVO has a range of nine award categories celebrating innovative projects and campaigns, inspiring people, climate action, and more.
Applications will close at 12 noon on Tuesday 17 March.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Laughology is giving away £20,000 through its Happiness Fund in 2026.
The fund supports neighbourhood-based community projects that help build happy, strong, and resilient communities, and is available to small not-for-profit organisations to set up new groups or activities that improve mental health and wellbeing, promote inclusion, and support learning and skills development in local communities. Applicants must demonstrate how their project will become financially sustainable in the long term, either by continuing independently or by securing funding from other sources.
The programme will run over two funding cycles. Each cycle will award two grants of £5,000.
The next deadline for applications is the 27th March 2026.
Apply here.
Suicide Prevention Scotland has launched the third phase of Scotland’s national public awareness ‘What if’ campaign.
This next part of the campaign focuses specifically on asking the question, ‘are you thinking about suicide?’
We’ve prepared a helpful guide for people working in suicide prevention.
Read about the campaign and order your free resources here.
