Welcome to the KDP Bulletin.
This time we have an abundance of funding opportunities for you to consider. Several of them are specific to the North-East of Scotland, so likelihood of success is greater.
Remember if you want support with your funding applications, KDP is here to help.
The Aberdeenshire Local Action Group’s Rural Communities Challenge Fund 2026-27 has been launched and is now live and open for applications.
Grants are being invited from community groups, charities and cooperatives throughout Aberdeenshire and can fund specific activities aimed at benefitting rural communities in the region.
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
Grants of between £10,000 and £49,999 will be available for Capital Projects, and Grants of between £5,000 and £49,999 for Revenue Projects. A minimum 10% match funding contribution to projects by applicants is desirable but not essential.
The deadline for submission of applications is 23.59 on 28 June 2026. and potential applicants can access the application forms and guidance here.
Applicants are also encouraged to contact the Aberdeenshire Local Action Group for more information and support at externalfunding@aberdeenshire.gov.uk .
TONIGHT
Sustainable Mearns Community Group and The Changineer are hosting a special community screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing — an eye-opening film bringing together nine leading UK scientists and experts presenting the latest evidence on climate and nature, and what it means for everyday life in the UK.
The film covers topics including extreme weather, food security, health, and cost of living. It is based on the National Emergency Briefing held in Westminster — as featured by ITV, Channel 4 and The Times — and includes appearances from Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, and a range of voices from across the UK.
Following the screening, there will be a short open discussion about what the issues raised mean for the local community and what can be done at a local level. Local MP Andrew Bowie has been invited to join constituents for the discussion. This event is free to attend but booking is required.
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 7 PM – 8:30 PM
Mearns Community Hub, 149 High Street, Catalyst Vineyard Church Yellow Room, Laurencekirk, AB30 1BL
The Essentia Foundation provides financial support to charities and community groups to help achieve the following objectives:
- Improved health and social welfare of children and young people up to the age of 25 years old.
- Increased opportunities for training, enhancing learning, upskilling, and developing career opportunities, and supporting young people up to the age of 25 years old to move towards employment.
This is a 12 month, small grants funding round and grants of up to £3,000.00 are available.
The closing date is 1st June.
To learn more information and to apply, please visit the Foundation Scotland website.
Everything the AADP does is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and evidence.
The Connected Hubs – Community Spaces as Vibrant Workspaces session explores how village halls and community spaces across Scotland can become part of a light, connected network of coworking and community hubs.
This event will look at practical ways spaces can be used better during weekdays through shared working space, digital access, and flexible community services.
Drawing on real-world examples and practitioner experience, the discussion will focus on what is actually working, the barriers involved (such as cost, connectivity, and capacity), and how small-scale pilots can be tested without heavy infrastructure or volunteer burden.
Participants will explore what a “connected hubs” model could look like in practice, and identify simple, realistic next steps for developing community spaces as part of a wider workspace network.
The session will take place online on Wednesday 3 June between 12–1pm and will be hosted in partnership with Scottish Rural Action and Social Enterprise Scotland.
Book your place here.
People’s Postcode Trust supports smaller charities and good causes in Scotland to make a difference to their community for the benefit of people and planet.
They support projects under the following categories:
- Enabling participation in the arts
- Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty
- Supporting marginalised groups and tackling inequality
- Providing support to improve mental health (Focus on organisations that actively support specific mental health issues)
The funding offered is unrestricted and therefore flexible. It can be used however it is most needed.
Constituted voluntary organisations with no charity number can apply for up to £2,500.
Registered charities, CICs with an asset lock and community benefit societies can apply for up to £50,000 in total over three years.
Future funding round dates for 2026 are:
- Round 2: 9am 24th June – 12 noon 1st July
- Round 3: 9am 24th September – 12 noon 1st October.
Apply here.
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers.
Launched in 1984, this initiative has been running for over 40 years, providing organisations and communities a platform to thank current and past volunteers for their invaluable efforts.
The campaign highlights the diversity and unity of volunteer work across the UK. In its 40th year, the campaign underwent a rebrand, introducing a vibrant identity to inspire continued engagement.
Volunteers’ Week fosters connections between national organisations and grassroots groups, celebrating the spirit of volunteering that enriches communities each year.
The 2026 celebration will run from Monday 1st – Sunday 7th June.
Get involved.
£333,333 is available for the Aberdeenshire region in the Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund (JTPB), and AVA are inviting applications for grants of up £50,000 to support your project.
The Fund is all about enabling non-profit organisations to find creative green solutions which reflect the needs of their local communities. Get funding to deliver projects such as
- Community gardens
- Renewable energy installations
- Active travel initiatives
- Energy efficient building upgrades
- Recycling and waste reduction schemes
- Biodiversity and conservation projects
Before you can access the full application form for the JTPB Fund, you must first complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form, available here.
To get more information on the fund visit the website.
There are also a number of in-person and online events being held to offer support with the application process. Find the best one for you here.
The fund will close at 12 noon on Monday 31st August.
The Kincardine & Mearns Community Appointment Day (CAD) has been designed to bring health assessment, lifestyle support, community resources and early‑prevention advice directly into the heart of the community.
The CAD will focus on living well, with a particular emphasis on helping people understand their:
- Risk of developing cardiovascular disease
- Risk of developing diabetes
- Blood pressure, cholesterol and weight profile
- Early signs of frailty and functional fitness
- Opportunities to improve health through small lifestyle changes.
Alongside health checks, the event will also offer:
- Talks on healthy habits and preventative health
- Taster sessions for physical activity
- Lifestyle education sessions
- Supportive “What Matters to You” conversations, helping residents identify their own priorities and strengths.
The event will take place at Stonehaven Town Hall on Thursday 11th June, between 1-8pm
For more information contact Michelle Harper: michelle.harper1@nhs.scot
North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group is delighted to announce the launch of Aberdeenshire Council’s Coastal Communities Challenge Fund.
Grants are being targeted at community groups, third sector organisations and small businesses on Aberdeenshire’s coastline and can fund a range of activities with positive economic, social or environmental impacts.
The fund distributes revenues generated by Crown Estate Scotland, with applications being assessed and approved by NESFLAG – the North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group – a cross-sector partnership comprising representatives from Aberdeenshire’s coastal and fishing sectors.
This year’s grants will be targeted towards activities or infrastructure which meet the following priorities:
- Supporting the development of active travel routes along, to and from the coastline
- Developing the coastal economy and sustainable tourism
- Creating or enhancing community, leisure and recreational facilities
- Safeguarding, restoring or enhancing the coastal environment
Grants between £10,000 and £49,999 will be available, and applicants must make a minimum 10% match funding contribution to projects. Small business applicants must contribute 50% match funding. Projects approved under this application round must be completed within one year of the grant award date.
The deadline for submission of applications is 23:59 on 22nd June 2026. A copy of the application form and funding criteria/guidance can be downloaded here.
For support with your application or any questions, please e-mail coastalcommunities@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Aberdeenshire Council value your feedback and ideas and believe your input is vital in shaping Aberdeenshire.
Their online community engagement hub, Engage Aberdeenshire, provides you with the opportunity to offer input into a broad range of projects, activities and decisions. It is a dedicated space where you can gather information, share your ideas and have your say on a variety of matters.
Visit the Hub here.
Grants of £250 to £2,500 are available for community tree planting projects from The Tree Council Branching Out Fund.
Eligible applicants include community groups, education institutions, parish and town councils, tenants’ and residents’ associations, community-funded nurseries or care homes, CICs limited by guarantee, and small registered charities. Applicants must have written permission for the planting site.
Funding can cover trees, hedging, hedgerow trees, orchards and establishment items, but not normally professional labour, heavy equipment hire or peat-based products.
Applications should demonstrate community involvement, value, local knowledge and aftercare plans by midnight on 19 July 2026.
More here.
Nourish Scotland has launched its Public Diners website. The site is where you can find out about the background to the public diners movement here in Scotland, and further afield, and access news and updates.
Organisations involved in horticulture, gardening, or botany can apply for grants of up to £5,000 from the Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust.
Eligible projects include the restoration of historic gardens, creation of new public garden spaces, horticultural research, publications, and plant study expeditions. Applications are currently open, and the next application deadline is the 15th August 2026.
More here.
Tesco’s Fruit & Veg Grant funding programme invites schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations supporting children to apply for up to £1,500 to improve access to fruit and veg.
Every four months, three local projects are selected to be in the customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK. Tesco customers are encouraged to make a difference in their local community by using their blue token to vote and choose how the funding is distributed.
Every project shortlisted for the vote receives funding but a vote using a blue token will make the difference to just how much funding each project receives – up to £500, £1,000 or £1,500.
From providing nutritious food in fun ways like smoothie classes through to learning how fruit and veg grows, we welcome applications that use healthy food to support nutritious diets of children and young people across the UK.
Learn more and nominate your school here.
The Matthew Good Foundation appreciate that it can be really hard work and a steep learning curve when you are starting out a new charity or project. Attracting small charity funding from a funder that is right for you can often be difficult to find and manage due to demanding applications processes and inflexible funding restrictions.
This programme, funded by the John Good Group, offers unrestricted funds that you can use for any of your organisation’s costs, including core running costs, and their applications process is a short and as simple as possible.
They do get a lot of applications though – so please read though their advice section, which will help you give your application the best chance of being shortlisted.
The next closing date is 15th June.
Find our more on their website.
