New funding available for Aberdeenshire community, voluntary and third sector organisations through the Scottish Government's Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund

COMMUNITY, voluntary and third sector organisations in Aberdeenshire are being invited to apply for funding from the Scottish Government's Just Transition fund.

In May 2022, as part of their Climate Change Act, the Scottish Government announced a ten-year £500 million Just Transition Capital Fund, which aims to support the Scotland’s north-east economy in its just transition to net zero.

In this first year, £20 million is available and £1 million of this fund will be allocated through a participatory budgeting (PB) process. As part of the funding, £333,333 is available to support grassroots community organisations in Aberdeenshire to deliver capital projects working towards the transition to net zero.

Groups can apply for up to £50,000 for their just transition project and funds will then be allocated through a Participatory Budgeting process.

Once the proposals are in, these projects will then be put to a public vote where voters will decide which projects they believe will offer the greatest contribution towards a carbon-neutral Aberdeenshire.

Applications are now invited from community, voluntary, and third-sector organisations in Aberdeenshire with the funding administered through Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA) as a part of the TSI Scotland Network.

Capital funding is for the purchase of tangible assets, such as buildings, equipment, and land. However, the focus of this fund will mainly be on equipment. As an example, this could be the purchase of: electric vehicles, charging points, reusable water bottles, gardening equipment, allotments, food and garden waste equipment and food growing equipment.

Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East said, "I'm delighted that this fund is now open, it's great news for voluntary groups in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray. I look forward to seeing how many excellent groups in Aberdeenshire and across the Northeast put the fund to use and what a difference it will make to our communities. Good luck!"

All the information you need, and the application form are on the AVA website at: https://www.avashire.org.uk/just-transition-fund

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