Aberdeenshire Council has announced the opening of the latest round of its Coastal Communities Challenge Fund (CCCF), making grants of up to £49,999 available to support initiatives along its coastline.

The fund, which distributes revenues generated by Crown Estate Scotland, targets community groups, third sector organisations, and small businesses within Aberdeenshire's coastal areas. Eligible projects must demonstrate positive economic, social, or environmental impacts.

Applications will be assessed and approved by NESFLAG – the North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group – a cross-sector partnership comprising representatives from Aberdeenshire's coastal and fishing sectors.

Grants will once again be focused on activities or infrastructure that align with the following key priorities:

• Supporting the development of active travel routes along, to, and from the coastline.

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• Developing the coastal economy, workforce, and sustainable tourism.

• Creating or enhancing community, leisure, and recreational facilities.

• Safeguarding, restoring, or enhancing the coastal environment.

Grant awards will range from £10,000 to £49,999. Applicants are required to provide match funding: a minimum of 10% for community, voluntary sector, and public sector projects with wider community benefit, and a minimum of 50% for commercial projects. All successful projects must be completed and funding fully drawn down by 30th September 2026.

The deadline for application submission is noon on Monday, 4th August 2025. The application form, privacy notice, and programme guidance are available on the Aberdeenshire Council website. For support with applications or any queries, interested parties can email [email protected].

Councillor Alan Turner, chair of the council's Infrastructure Services Committee, expressed his enthusiasm for the fund: “We are delighted to announce a fresh round of the Coastal Communities Challenge Fund. Over recent years we have seen firsthand the positive impacts such grants have had on communities within our coastal areas, with a wide range of projects being supported including investments in sports and business facilities, improvements to community halls and car-parks, energy efficiency schemes and recreational area enhancements."

He further encouraged potential applicants: "As we've seen from those previous funding rounds, the successful projects continue to deliver an array of social, environmental and economic benefits and I would encourage all interested parties to get in touch as soon as possible to discuss potential new activities and initiatives."