Greener Aberdeenshire Award
Aberdeenshire Environmental Forum offers environmental improvers assistance with funding.
Aberdeenshire encompasses a range of wildlife habitats of unsurpassed variety; a patchwork of fields and villages, planted woods and towns, each joined
to its neighbour by a web of burns, roads, hedges and dykes. The final piece of this environmental jigsaw is an important one; the people, those who
live, work and play in Aberdeenshire, some of whom try to ensure that the pieces of the jigsaw are not lost for this and future generations.
It is these people, who work to ensure that the precious environment is maintained and enhanced for all forms of life, that the Greener Aberdeenshire
Awards aim to recognise and assist. Be it wildlife, conservation, care, raising awareness, composting or recycling, every little helps.
Aberdeenshire Environmental Forum is launching a small grant scheme to assist progression of suitable 'green' projects. The scheme offers grants of
up to £500 per project and, given the limit on available funds, will be competitive - candidates are asked to provide details of their projects with
an indication of cost. On-site reviews of projects presented will be reviewed by AEF representatives with the candidate/s. If accepted as viable,
projects will then be assessed and ranked by an AEF panel (if desired the assessment process may include opportunity for candidates to present their
case to the panel). Although the timescale is going to be tight we hope to agree and award the grants by Easter or thereabouts, so the sooner
applications are received the better, and by 10 March at the latest.
If you feel that the work you are engaged in is worthy of recognition but needs some financial assistance to progress it, this could be the answer.
To apply for a Greener Aberdeenshire Award print off an application form (as PDF or Word document)
or send a stamped addressed envelope to:
Aberdeenshire Environmental Forum, Keltswells Farmhouse, Rothienorman, AB51 8YN
Landfill Tax Credit Scheme
The system for claiming and utilising landfill tax funds can seem extremely complex to anyone looking at it for the first time. AEF volunteers work with local community groups to identify sources of funding and to make the necessary applications to both Entrust and the landfill operator for the funds. AEF charge a small admin fee for this service which can be included as part of the grant funding application.
Over a number of years we have been able to gain funds for a wide variety of projects. Changes to the regulations governing this fund mean that projects usually have to be for general community benefit. See our Report - Landfill Tax Beginners Guide (pdf) - made to the AEF Committee on the subject. This report, which is now several years old, has been modified to keep the information as current as is available to AEF volunteers.
Examples of projects that we have helped with are a new roof and windows for a Scout hall: staging, lighting and sound system for a community hall: car park and improved access for disabled persons to a community graveyard.
For more advice on the subject contact George Niblock at ALi@niblockenvironmental.com or phone 01467 621902.
Alternatively, check out the Entrust website at www.entrust.org.uk