The Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund Round 2 is now open for Level 1 applications (£0 – £3,000). Applications will be accepted until Friday 7th February 2025, providing an opportunity for grassroots organisations in Aberdeen City to secure funding for impactful mental health and wellbeing initiatives.
The Scottish Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting mental health and wellbeing in March 2024 with a £15 million allocation across Scotland for 2024-25. This includes £565,039 earmarked for Aberdeen-based projects, managed by ACVO TSI.
Round 1 of the Fund closed for applications last November with £500,000 available for grant applications of up to £15,000. Those who applied will be notified of the outcome of the decision making process via email on Wednesday 15th January 2025.
Round 2 of the Fund will distribute the remaining £65,039 in the form of smaller grants (up to £3000) for organisations with an annual turnover of less than £150,000. With this round of funding, the aim is to support grassroots community organisations to deliver initiatives on a very local level with the city. Citywide projects will still be considered but those that focus on work within Aberdeen’s localities will be given priority.
Key Details for Round 2:
- Level 1 Applications Only: Funding requests between £0 and £3,000.
- Eligibility: Open to organisations with an annual turnover of less than £150,000.
- Application Period: Monday, 13th January 2025 to Friday, 7th February 2025.
- Organisations that applied for Round 1 should wait for the outcome (notification by email on Wednesday, 15th January 2025) before submitting an application for Round 2.
- Organisations supported in Round 1 are not eligible to apply for Round 2.
The Fund continues to focus on supporting community-based initiatives – both new and existing – that promote mental health and wellbeing. Priorities include addressing social isolation, loneliness, suicide prevention, poverty, and inequality. Prevention and early intervention remain central to the Fund’s mission, along with responding to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Since the Fund’s inception in 2021, ACVO TSI has distributed more than £2 million to over 230 community-based projects across Aberdeen. These grants have supported diverse and innovative initiatives that have had a transformative impact on local communities.
Claire Shaw, Funding Officer at ACVO said: “We are thrilled to launch Round 2 of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and invite Level 1 applications from small organisations dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing in Aberdeen. I urge all interested groups to carefully read the Fund guidance before applying and submit their applications before the deadline.”
For more information, guidance documents, and to begin your application, visit acvo.org.uk/cmhwfund.
