Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray: applicant guidance 2026 to 2027

Community and Social Enterprise Capital Projects

Up to £2.5 million is available for community and social enterprise projects — £2 million capital and £500,000 resource funding. Bids should be between £100,000 and £500,000. This is one-year funding only.

Please read the ‘General guidance’ section before applying, as it covers eligibility, funding definitions, the application process and grant conditions that apply to all applicants.

Who can apply

In addition to the general eligibility criteria, applications to this stream must be led by a registered charity, business or public sector body. For R&D projects, private sector applicants must also demonstrate that their project meets the definition of capitalisation of research and development costs, in line with HMT guidance (see Annex C of HMT consolidated budgeting guidance).

What you can apply for

Your project must contribute to the transition to net zero in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire or Moray, and help diversify the regional economy away from carbon-intensive industries.

In addition, your project must demonstrate delivery against at least one of the following outcomes:

Tackling child poverty or fuel poverty

Projects must show clear, measurable action to reduce child poverty or fuel poverty in the target community. This could include:

• supporting low-income families
• improving access to essential services
• reducing household energy costs through retrofit

Improving climate resilience

Projects must show how they improve climate resilience for people and communities, with a particular welcome for projects focused on vulnerable groups. This could include:

• reducing community vulnerability to extreme weather events
• improving preparedness through education, resources or infrastructure

Nature restoration and promoting biodiversity

Projects must show how they help restore natural habitats, enhance local ecosystems or improve biodiversity. This could include:

• habitat restoration
• native species protection
• nature-based solutions
• community engagement in conservation

Measuring progress

Your application must specify measurable indicators relevant to your project aims. These may include:

• climate resilience metrics
• nature restoration and biodiversity indicators
• child and fuel poverty measures

You are also encouraged to develop bespoke supplementary indicators aligned with your specific project goals. Where relevant, please outline how funding will support job creation, apprenticeships or wider employment opportunities.

How to apply

Submit a completed application form and business case to JustTransitionFund@gov.scot by 12:00 noon on Friday 22 May 2026.

Your application form should cover:

• lead organisation details
• project summary and mandatory criteria
• business proposal
• finances
• deliverability
• project declaration and checklist

Application timeline

• application window open: 2 March 2026
• application deadline: 12:00 noon on 22 May 2026
• applications assessed and shortlisted: 22 May to 5 June 2026
• shortlisted applicants notified: week commencing 8 June 2026
• due diligence on shortlisted bids: June 2026
• successful bids announced: by end of June 2026
• post-award governance arrangements: July 2026
• project delivery and monitoring: July 2026 to 31 March 2027

All funding will be assessed for compliance with Subsidy Control regulations. We may contact you for additional information or documentation during the process.

Information sessions

We are hosting online information sessions for prospective applicants:

• Friday 13 March 2026: 11:00am to 12:00pm
• Monday 16 March 2026: 1:00pm to 2:00pm

To register or ask any questions, email JustTransitionFund@gov.scot.

How applications are assessed

Applications are assessed against the following criteria. These arrangements apply to the 2026 to 2027 bidding round only.

Mandatory eligibility criteria — your application must demonstrate all of the following:

• compliance with mandatory Fair Work First criteria (paying the real Living Wage and providing appropriate channels for effective voice)
• the project will be delivered in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire or Moray and contributes to a just transition to net zero
• meets the definition of capital fund
• for R&D projects: meets the definition of capitalisation of research and development costs in line with HMT guidance (Annex C)

Business proposal (50%): Your proposal should:

• demonstrate how the project provides positive impact against at least one of the Community and Social Enterprise stream outcomes
• provide a financial model showing cashflows and a monthly drawdown profile, including all expected revenues and costs
• identify the positive social and environmental impacts from the proposal and show how it contributes to Scotland's net zero targets
• set out relevant KPIs to support project monitoring, including long-term outputs

Finances (25%): Your application should set out:

• the percentage of funding requested from the JTF
• how the project will deliver value for money, including through any planned procurement
• why JTF funding is needed, demonstrating that the market has not provided sufficient alternative sources of capital
• evidence of additionality — why JTF support is required to progress the project and what public value will result
• details of all other public and private funding received, including in-kind contributions

Deliverability (25%): You should provide:

• evidence of strong commercial partnerships, governance and accountability
• a delivery plan with a Gantt chart showing project timescales
• a full, credible risk register covering risks to delivery and achieving the outcomes outlined in your business proposal, including risks to long-term deliverables

Scoring weightings

These weightings apply to both capital and R&D projects in this stream.

Please note: the scoring weightings for this stream differ from the Commercial and Public Sector stream, which places greater emphasis on wider benefits and deliverability. Make sure you are referring to the correct criteria when preparing your application.