What is the Community & Coast Fund?

The Community & Coast Fund supports projects in the Torry and Cove areas of Aberdeen. With up to £100,000 available each year, the fund focuses on initiatives that promote community growth, support children, young people, families, and older people, and address goals like biodiversity, net zero, and local heritage. Grants of up to £3,000 or £10,000 are available, and local residents get to decide which projects receive funding through an online voting process called Participatory Budgeting.

Who is delivering the fund?

The Community & Coast Fund is delivered by ACVO, Aberdeen’s Third Sector Interface, with over 20 years of experience supporting local organisations. ACVO is managing the fund on behalf of ETZ Ltd to ensure it benefits the Torry and Cove communities. ACVO has a strong track record in fund management and has previously worked with Participatory Budgeting processes, making them well-placed to oversee the distribution of grants and empower local residents to shape how spending reflects local priorities.

£100,000

Available to support community projects in Torry and Cove

Grants of up to

£10,000

to purchase equipment or items for organisations in Cove & Torry

16,000+

Torry and Cove residents invited to have their say in a public vote!

Who can apply?

The Community & Coast Fund is open to third sector organisations and community groups that are based in or operate within the Torry and Cove areas of Aberdeen. This includes both formally constituted organisations and unconstituted groups that have ideas for projects to benefit their local communities. In its first year, the Fund particularly encourages applications from groups supporting children, young people, families, and older people.

What can we fund?

The Community & Coast Fund can help bring your ideas to life with grants of up to £3,000 or £10,000 for capital projects such as the purchasing of equipment. Want to find out more about what we mean by capital projects? Read our FAQs for more information.

We’re looking for projects that support children, young people, families, older people, and overall community growth. Plus, we’re excited to fund initiatives that align with key goals like natural biodiversity, net zero targets, and preserving local heritage. To be eligible, your project should connect with at least one of our 6 Pillars of the Community & Coast Fund. If your looking for inspiration, follow the link below to see some examples of the types of projects we can fund.

How is the funding awarded?

The Community & Coast Fund is awarded through a unique process called Participatory Budgeting, which puts decision-making in the hands of the community. The 16,000+ residents of Torry and Cove will have the opportunity to vote online for the projects they believe will make the biggest difference in their area. This means local people have a direct say in where the funding goes, ensuring it supports initiatives that truly matter to them. It’s a great way to involve the community in shaping priorities and facilitating community projects in Torry and Cove.

Fund timeline

Click the tabs below to find out the timeline for the fund, including application opening and closing dates and when the public vote will go live for residents of Torry and Cove to have their say!

Applications for the fund open as of 30th September 2024. If you have a project idea that can enhance the local environment, boost community well-being, or support sustainable development along the coast, we encourage you to apply!
Applications for the fund close as of 12noon Monday 11th November, successful applicants will be notified whether their application has made it through to the public vote shortly after this and the next stages will be discussed
A public vote will open on 29th November 2024, allowing residents of Torry and Cove to choose which projects should receive funding. This vote ensures that the community has a direct say in selecting the projects that will benefit their area.
The public vote will close on 13th December 2024. Following this, the votes will be verified and counted and those due to receive funding will be notified and sent a formal letter of acceptance
It is anticipated that successful bids will be awarded funding in January 2025 and the Community & Coast Fund team will follow up with projects to document progress and highlight successes to the wider public

The 6 Pillars of the Community & Coast Fund

As well as being very focused on community growth, the Fund also has natural biodiversity, net zero targets and heritage as some of the key aims behind projects it looks to facilitate. Projects should be linked to at least one of the following  6 Pillars of the Community & Coast Fund

BIODIVERSITY

Increasing local biodiversity and providing more opportunities for people both living and working in the area to enjoy the natural environment.

JOBS & SKILLS

Prioritising and providing clear pathways for local people to access support training and jobs associated with the energy transition within the energy transition zone.

NET ZERO

Creating opportunities for shared learning with the community in terms of delivering net zero providing targeted support through education and action-based initiatives.

WELLNESS & PLAY

Improving access to and facilities within recreational areas to provide a greater range of wellbeing and play opportunities for use by the community.

YOUNG PEOPLE

Supporting local young people to thrive and creating opportunities for the next generation to engage meaningfully with the future of their community.

HERITAGE & PLACE

Working with the community to improve facilities linkages interpretation and wayfinding to encourage local people and visitors to learn about and experience the rich history and culture of the area.