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Banff and Buchan area funding

Find out about grants and funding available in the Banff and Buchan area:

Banff and Buchan Area Initiative Fund 2024/25

This fund is closed for new applications.

Grants of up to £5,000 or up to £10,000 were available for project that support the delivery of the following themes:

  • Changing Aberdeenshire’s relationship with alcohol
  • Reducing child poverty
  • Connected and cohesive communities
  • Improving the appearance and maintenance of towns and villages within Banff and Buchan
  • Stronger communities
  • Safer communities
  • Supporting health and active communities
  • Tackling poverty and inequality
  • Transport and connectivity

Please view the Banff and Buchan Area Initiative Fund criteria (PDF 159KB) for further details. 

Banff and Buchan Coastal Communities Fund

The Banff and Buchan Coastal Communities Fund is open for applications from constituted community groups in the coastal areas across Banff and Buchan.

Grants are available for 100% of project costs up to £5,000, thereafter 90% of costs up to £25,000. Both capital and revenue projects can be supported. 

View the Banff and Buchan Communities Fund eligibility and criteria (PDF 136KB) for more details.

How to apply

To apply please complete the application form, available in two formats:

Please email completed forms to banffandbuchanamo@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

For help or further information contact the Banff and Buchan Area Office.

Crown Estate Coastal Communities Fund

A proportion of the income generated by Crown Estate Scotland is allocated annually to coastal local authorities including Aberdeenshire Council.

Grants are available for up to 90% of project cost with a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £25,000.

View the Crown Estate Coastal Communities Fund eligibility and criteria (PDF 136KB) for more details.

How to apply

To apply please complete the application form, available in two formats:

Please email completed forms to banffandbuchanamo@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

For help or further information contact the Banff and Buchan Area Office.

Aberdeenshire Charities Trust funding

Aberdeenshire Charities Trust (ACT2) administers charitable funds in Aberdeenshire and is a registered charity (SC045539). There are designated funds available to the council wards in the Banff and Buchan area that can be used for purposes set out by the trust.

View information about charitable trust funds in Banff and Buchan:

Eligibility

Individuals that live in any of the areas specified in the trust or who can demonstrate that they have a reasonable connection to these areas can apply for funding. The maximum grant available to individuals is £500.

In addition, companies, associations and other organisations who provide services, projects or facilities in the areas may apply for grants of up to £2,000 in Wards 1 and 2, and £1,000 in Ward 3.

Applications can only be considered if they meet the purposes detailed in the trust.

Available funds

View funds available as at 31st December 2022.

Our Banff and Buchan Area Committee accepts applications for the local council wards:

Ward 1 - Banff and District (Aberchirder, Banff, Portsoy and Whitehills)

Fund purposes Total Fund Revenue     Capital      
The prevention or relief of poverty £55,688.56 £20,253.30 £35,435.26
The relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

Ward 2 - Troup (Gardenstown, Macduff, Rosehearty and Sandhaven)

Fund purposes Total Fund Revenue Capital      
The prevention or relief of poverty £43,364.49 £9,351.74 £34,012.75
Relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
The advancement of public participation in sport  £1,298.75 £1,198.75 £100.00

Ward 3 - Fraserburgh and District (Cairnbulg, Fraserburgh and Inverallochy) 

Fund purposes Total Fund Revenue Capital
The prevention or relief of poverty £2,846.27 £465.96 £2,380.31
The relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
The advancement of education £0.00 £0.00 £0.00
The advancement of health
The advancement of citizenship or community development
The advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science
The advancement of public participation in sport
The provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended
The advancement of environmental protection or improvement

How to apply

You can apply for funding by completing the appropriate application form, available in two formats:

Send completed applications to the Banff and Buchan Area Office.

What happens next

The Banff and Buchan Area Committee will review your Aberdeenshire Charities Trust funding application. Find out about how we deal with your application.

Common Good Fund applications

Common Good Funds are generally made up of property (including land, buildings, investments and movable items) that belonged to the previous burghs of Scotland.

The responsibility for administering these funds now rests with the local authorities throughout Scotland. The council is responsible for administering 17 Common Good Funds. The following funds (estimated annual income from the fund) are available in the Banff and Buchan area:  

  • Aberchirder  - £20 (Ward 1 – Banff and District)
  • Banff - £19,400 (Ward 1 – Banff and District)
  • Fraserburgh - £330 (Ward 3 – Fraserburgh and District)
  • Macduff - £610 (Ward 2 – Troup)
  • Portsoy - £40 (Ward 1 – Banff and District)
  • Rosehearty - £20 (Ward 2 – Troup)

These figures are based on the annual income for 2016/2017.  Amounts available in each fund may vary from year to year.

These Common Good Funds, although, held by the council are legally distinct from the council’s other fund. Any money held within these funds, including the income from any assets which make up these funds, are to be used solely for the overall benefit of the people who reside in the area covered by the applicable fund.

Applications are processed in terms of the council’s Common Good Policy (PDF 60KB).

How to apply

You can apply by completing the appropriate application form.  Please make sure you read the guidance in the application pack before completing the form. The pack also includes a model application for information:

Send completed application forms to the Banff and Buchan Area Manager's Office.

What happens next

Your application will be checked and processed and you will be advised if your application is successful or not.

Contact

If you have any questions please contact the Banff and Buchan Area Office.