The fund is open to applications by constituted community organisations, appropriately constituted social enterprises and other voluntary and third sector organisations set up on a non-profit-distributing basis

Un-constituted groups and groups without a bank account can apply if their application is supported by an appropriately constituted group who is willing to take responsibility for the management of the project, the project funds, and any assets acquired through the project.

Any group or organisation can only apply for one project through this fund.

Taking responsibility for an un-constituted group will not bar an organisation from applying for funding for their own project. An organisation will only be able to take responsibility for one project run by another group.

This year, in response to evaluation and feedback, £33,333 is allocated to young people to help them support a just transition. This will be promoted separately in a parallel process.

The remaining £300,000 will be divided into: the first £150,000 open to all, and the remaining £150,000 prioritising groups without paid development staff, as detailed in the introduction.

The staff criteria applies to the organisation applying, not any group taking management responsibility for another.

Applications can be received for grants of up to £50,000.

In this third year of the fund, £1million will be allocated through a participatory budgeting (PB) process. In Moray £333,333 will be available to community groups to deliver capital projects working towards a just transition to net zero.

This year in Moray, £33,333 will be made available exclusively to young people who will run their own Just Transition PB with support from Money for Moray and tsiMORAY.

The remaining £300,000 will be made available to community groups. This will be divided into: the first £150,000 open to all, and the remaining £150,000 prioritising groups without paid development staff1. This split for this year is in response to feedback and evaluation from previous years, which identified a need to channel more support to smaller groups while still supporting larger groups with just transition projects.

Groups can apply for up to £50,000 for their just transition project. These projects will then be put to the public to vote, where voters will decide which projects they believe will offer the greatest contribution towards a just transition to a carbon neutral Moray.

Your project needs to be within Moray and must strengthen and benefit your local community and demonstrate to those within your community, and region, how they can best take action:

• on reducing carbon emissions

and/or

• adapting to the changes brought by climate change and building resilience to these changes

and/ or

• protecting or restoring nature and biodiversity

together with

• Increasing ‘green’ skills and knowledge to take forward sustainable projects and/ or gain work in a net zero economy

and/or

• Deepening inclusiveness and reducing inequalities during the journey towards net zero

The Just Transition Fund is for capital funding: that is, for the purchase of tangible assets. The main focus of the JTF PB in 2024/25 is the purchase of equipment.

Conditions of Capital Resources:

• Think reuse, recycled/ pre-used before buying new physical products – to reduce manufacturing emissions and waste.

• Buy all capital resources as locally as possible- to benefit the local economy and avoid longer transportation costs and associated emissions.

• Consider the sustainability of the manufacture, materials and lifespan of the products to be bought – avoid short life use/replacement and maximise environmental benefit. Shop around for the best value.

• Ensure that you are applying for the lowest viable carbon option of that type of product i.e. electrically operated equipment rather than petrol or diesel – this fund is for projects that showcase sustainable best practice.

Funding awarded to successful projects must be spent by 31 March 2025.

• Equipment and/or items

• Any contractor costs associated with installation of the equipment

• Purchase of buildings and/or land (subject to all levels of appropriate planning permissions being in place should they be needed)

• Fossil Fuel Vehicles *

• Fossil fuel heating

• Revenue costs (e.g., staff, utilities, rent, mortgage, or other normal running costs)

• Contingency costs, loans, endowments, or interest

• Political or religious campaigning or activity

• Profit-making/fundraising activities

• VAT you can reclaim

• Statutory activities

• Overseas travel

• Alcohol

• If an organisation has previously gained funding from the JT PB Fund for a vehicle, they cannot apply for funding for another vehicle

* Due to rurality issues, in Aberdeenshire and Moray, an application for funding for a fossil fuelled van may be acceptable in exceptional circumstances, where it is demonstrated that such a van is an enabler for an impactful community just transition project and there is no lower viable carbon option available. Groups who wish to use this exception in Moray need to discuss their project with Money for Moray and tsiMORAY prior to applying for the Fund.

Applications received for consideration within Moray must be led by a group/organisation whose address is within Moray.