Community Led Local Development

Community Led Vision Fund

Our Community Led Vision Fund program is now live and open for applications. 

Applications are being invited from public sector organisations, small to medium-size enterprises, charities, community groups and cooperatives throughout Aberdeenshire (excluding the Cairngorms area). We can fund a range of activities with positive community, social or environmental impacts.

Grants will be targeted towards activities or infrastructure which can be delivered before March 2023 and support one or more of the following priorities:

  • Capacity building to unlock projects (for instance feasibility, pre-construction work or options appraisals)
  • Quick win capital work for community spaces (for instance improving interiors in newly re-opened community buildings or energy efficiency measures)
  • Green public spaces (planting or restoring green spaces, outdoor play, recreation or similar projects)
  • Opportunities for young people (creating or improving spaces or purchasing equipment for example)

Grants between £5,000 and £50,000 will be available. A minimum of 10% match funding contribution to projects by applicants is desirable but not essential. 

How to apply

For further information please read our funding criteria (PDF 252KB) and procurement guidance (PDF 225KB). 

Send a completed application form (docx 132KB) and supporting documentation, or any queries, to externalfunding@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

The deadline for applications is 11th September 2022.

Community Led Local Development 2014-2020

Aberdeenshire Council was the lead partner/accountable body for three Local Action Groups which facilitate Community Led Local Development (CLLD).  Originally awarded over £7.5m of funding from the European Union and Scottish Government, these partnerships of community, private and public sector organisations were tasked with the implementation of Local Development Strategies:

  • North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group
  • North Aberdeenshire Local Action Group
  • South Aberdeenshire Local Action Group

Two Local Development Strategies were approved – one for North Aberdeenshire and one for South Aberdeenshire. The North Aberdeenshire Area broadly corresponded to the Banff and Buchan, Buchan and Formartine Administrative Areas of Aberdeenshire and the South Garioch, Kincardine and Mearns and Marr (excluding the Cairngorms National Park for which there was a separate Local Action Group).

Using CLLD funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (LEADER) and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund programmes, the Local Action Groups made awards to Aberdeenshire Council who delivered the following projects:

Project  Programme Grant Amount
Aquarium Touch Pool and Interpretation Upgrade: Improvements to interpretation and educational facilities at Macduff Marine Aquarium European Maritime and Fisheries Fund £32,315.58
Banff Harbour Improvements: Installation of a concrete slipway at Banff Harbour European Maritime and Fisheries Fund £65,713.80
Community Resilience Workshops: Workshops to enhance resilience to climate change and produce Resilience Plans in three communities South Aberdeenshire LEADER  £8,820.00
North East Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS): Establishment of an INNS Forum covering the North East of Scotland and employment of a Project Officer North and South Aberdeenshire LEADER £55,929.39
South Harbours Improvement Actions: Improvements to the harbours of Stonehaven, Gourdon and Johnshaven, as identified in the South Harbours Improvement Plan European Maritime and Fisheries Fund £54,311.22
South Harbours Improvement Plan: Production of a strategic plan for the three Council-owned harbours in South Aberdeenshire - Stonehaven, Gourdon and Johnshaven European Maritime and Fisheries Fund £19,600.00
Stonehaven Boardwalk:  Improvements to the waterfront area in Stonehaven European Maritime and Fisheries Fund  £44,858.68

Additional projects were commissioned on behalf of the Local Action Group:

Project Programme Grant Amount
Digital Key Skills Workshops: Providing basic training in critical digital skills for communities in North Aberdeenshire North Aberdeenshire LEADER £47,499.00
E-Bikes Experience: Providing electric bikes at strategic points near the Formartine and Buchan Way North Aberdeenshire LEADER £62,026.70
Green Spaces and Biodiversity Development Officers: Funding for 2 Greenspace and Biodiversity Development Officers to provide a new approach to the creation and maintenance of green spaces across Aberdeenshire North and South Aberdeenshire LEADER £124,579.59
Home/Hame/Dom: A comprehensive programme of events, workshops and regular social gatherings to encourage a wide range of community members including recent and settled migrants North Aberdeenshire LEADER £149,978.00
Huntly 2030: A community capacity building project to develop a co-created Huntly 2030 strategy and action plan South Aberdeenshire LEADER £44,873.75
Strategic Analysis of the North East Scotland Seafood Industry:  Assessment of current situation and recommendations for future development of the industry European Maritime and Fisheries Fund £34,177.50
Town Centre Retail Support Scheme: Bespoke one-to one support and advice to town centre businesses in Huntly, Banchory and Stonehaven South Aberdeenshire LEADER £36,000.00
Ury Riverside Park: Planting and interpretation boards at Ury Riverside Park, Inverurie South Aberdeenshire LEADER £112,956.44 

LEADER Logo with text stating "The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Europe investing in rural areas."North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group Logo, this includes text at the bottom stating that this is part-funded by the European Union's European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.