Community groups and charities across the North East and Moray are being invited to apply for up to £50,000 to support eco-friendly initiatives in the region with the return of the Just Transition Participatory Budgeting (PB) Fund.
Now in its third year, the Fund aims to build on the success of previous rounds with the £2.5million already distributed to 99 green and sustainable projects currently making a positive difference within communities in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
The Fund provides a unique opportunity for communities to propose projects that address local needs while contributing to a greener, more eco-friendly region. For 2024, the funding pot of £1million has been equally split across the three target geographic regions with £333,333 allocated for each.
Residents have the final say on which initiatives receive funding through a public vote which is due to open later in 2024.
The Scottish Government-funded initiative is managed and delivered locally by ACVO TSI, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action and tsiMoray with support from NESCAN Hub and Money for Moray.
These organisations are actively engaging with local communities to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate by offering project development support, idea generation and assistance with applications.
Maggie Hepburn, Chief Executive at ACVO TSI said: “The Just Transition PB Fund is all about finding innovative green solutions to help support the work being delivered by local community groups and charities. As the Third Sector Interface for Aberdeen, we know how important funding is in terms of the huge difference it makes, so we welcome the opportunity to distribute this money locally once again.
“This fund really is for everyone. If you are looking to start a community garden, get a fleet of e-bikes for community use, need heating upgrades for your Community Centre or if your Scout Hall needs a new roof, there is an eco friendly solution for this and the Fund can help you achieve it.”
Some of the projects already funded across the region include an electric vehicle for AberNecessities to facilitate their work supporting children and families in the North East; the purchase of new greener machinery for Strichen Community Park to help achieve decarbonising goals; a new workshop for Finechty Men’s Shed; and LED floodlights for Buckie Thistle FC.
Further details of the 99 projects supported so far can be found at www.jtpbfund.scot/projects
Following the public vote in 2023, Asylum and Refugee Care (AARC) were awarded funds to purchase an electric minibus to support volunteering opportunities for New Scots in Aberdeen.
Founder of AARC, Jayne Smith said: “We were overjoyed to be successful in our bid last year. The minibus has allowed us to facilitate volunteering for New Scots in Aberdeen while they wait for their asylum claims to be processed. This has helped with integration, reduced social isolation and the response we get from local residents when they see the guys making a big difference around the city is fantastic.
“We do a lot of work within community gardens so we are helping to improve the environment through developing greenspaces in Aberdeen. All of this has been enabled with our electric vehicle so our environmental impact is minimal but our positive community impact is huge.”
Commenting on the on the launch of the Fund’s third year, Alison Stuart, NESCAN Hub CEO said: “The Just Transition PB Fund brings more opportunities for local community groups and charities to access funding for climate-friendly capital projects, as well as to publicise the inspiring work being carried out by the third sector. The North East Scotland Climate Action Hub is keen to hear from community groups to discuss ideas for projects for this new round of funding. Together we can help to make the North East a greener, healthier and more sustainable place to live and work.”
Dan Shaw, Chief Executive Officer Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action, said: “As we move towards achieving Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions, it’s vital we support organisations looking to invest in renewable projects which will benefit their community long into the future.
“We know the importance of the Third Sector in community engagement and the difference funding makes to achieving these objectives. We are delighted to be delivering this initiative once again with our partners and encourage organisations across Aberdeenshire to apply for a share of this significant funding.”
Fabio Villani, part of the Leadership Team at tsiMORAY said: “We’re delighted to once again open applications and look forward to working with community groups and social enterprises to develop ideas into projects which help us make sure no one is left behind as we move away from our over-reliance on non-renewable sources of energy.
“The public vote is also an exciting part of the process and we look forward to involving the people of Moray and facilitating them to have their say later in the year.”
Applications for the Just Transition PB Fund are open as of 12noon on Monday 19th August 2024 and will close at 12noon on Monday September 23rd 2024.
Community groups can apply online, access support and find out more about the Fund via www.jtpbfund.scot
