ACVO Opportunities

Funding

NESIZ Skills Fund

Funding available: up to £750,000

Applications close: 18/09/2026

About this fund

🚀 Applications are now open for the NESIZ Skills Fund

We’re looking to support new or enhanced activity that addresses identified skills challenges and delivers measurable benefits for the region’s Green Energy and Digital Technology sectors.

✅ Green Energy & Energy Transition
✅ Digital Technology
✅ STEM & Talent Pipelines
✅ Employer-Led Skills Activity
✅ Entrepreneurial Skills Development

Funding is available through three routes:

🔹 Pilot Projects: up to £24,999
🔹 Medium Projects: £25,000 to £249,999
🔹 Large / Strategic Projects: £250,000 to £750,000

📅 Expression of Interest Deadline: 18 September 2026
📅 Full Application Deadline: 30 October 2026

 

📢 Please share with your networks

We’re keen to reach businesses, employers, education and training providers, charities, social enterprises, public sector bodies and delivery partnerships across the North East of Scotland.

 

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💡 Thinking of applying?

Projects don’t need to be large to make a difference. Funding is available from pilot activity through to large strategic interventions that can deliver lasting impact for the North East Scotland workforce.

If you’d like to discuss an idea, please get in touch with the NESIZ team. 📧 nesiz@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

📌 Who can apply?

The NESIZ Skills Fund is open to UK-based organisations with a delivery footprint in Aberdeen City and/or Aberdeenshire, including:

  • Businesses
    • Education and training providers
    • Charities and social enterprises
    • Public sector organisations
    • Partnerships

Projects must support skills, talent and workforce development in Green Energy and/or Digital Technology and demonstrate:

✅ A clear evidence-based need
✅ Additionality (activity that would not otherwise happen, or would not happen to the same scale, scope or timescale without support)
✅ Measurable outcomes
✅ Value for money

📧 Contact the NESIZ team if you’d like to discuss a potential project. nesiz@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

 

Looking for support with funding?

Identifying funding opportunities and writing grant applications can seem overwhelming, especially when the future sustainability of your group is dependent on gaining funding support. 

Our supportive Funding Officer, Claire Shaw, can help your organisation with every step of the funding application process, from carrying out funding searches to proofreading your application.

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NESIZ Skills Fund

North East Scotland Investment Zone

Funding available: up to £750,000

Applications close: 18/09/2026

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