About the fund
The Just Transition PB Fund aims to empower the residents of Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, and Moray by giving you a crucial role in shaping our just transition to a net-zero future in the North East of Scotland.
The Just Transition PB Fund is an opportunity to ensure that the voices, perspectives and priorities of the local community are heard with £1.5million made available to support eco friendly sustainable projects across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
ACVO TSI, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action, TSI Moray, NESCAN Hub, Money for Moray and Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) are working in partnership to deliver the fund and will be actively engaging with everyone in the region to contribute ideas and be an active part in determining the discussion over community priorities in in relation to our just transition to net zero.
If you want to find out more about the fund, what is meant by a ‘Just Transition’ or how participatory budgeting works, follow the links on this page.
What is Just Transition?
What is PB?
Aims and Priorities
The Scottish Government has set out how it is moving towards ‘net zero’ – that means a 75% reduction in harmful emissions, like carbon dioxide, by 2030 and 100% reduction by 2045.
A just transition is both the outcome – a fairer, greener future for all – and the process that must be undertaken in partnership with those impacted by the transition to net zero.
Just transition is how we get to a net zero and climate resilient economy, in a way that delivers fairness and tackles inequality and injustice.
The money ringfenced for the North East which is being used for this participatory budgeting exercise is a driver for achieving a Just Transition to net zero for Scotland, and supporting more people to be involved in the decisions that affect them, their communities and the environment.
Read more about Just Transition on the Scottish Government’s website.
Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which citizens decide directly how to spend part of a public budget. PB can be used as a tool for community empowerment and as a resource to build on the wider development of participatory democracy.
PB can support active citizenship, helping build more active and stronger communities that are:
better able to take decisions on where public funds are spent.
more likely to take part in community activities
better informed about public budgets and decision making
In this instance, organisations are invited to apply for capital spend projects (i.e. equipment, materials, physical items, etc.) that will contribute towards an net zero future for their communities. Unlike traditional models of funding distribution, the decision about what projects do and do not get funding lies with the public, who will be invited to vote for their preferred projects.
PB was seen in action during Year 1 of the Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund where over 12,000 people voted across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray which resulted in 45 eco friendly, green projects receive funding in the region.
You can find out more about the process with PB Scotland’s 60 Second Guide
Watch a clip below from PB Scotland about the process of Participatory Budgeting and how it has been implemented around the country
Green Participatory Budgeting
Green PB is a way for people to make direct decisions about how budgets are spent addressing climate change and reducing our carbon footprints.
Green PB is a driver for achieving a Just Transition to net zero for Scotland and supporting more people to be involved in the decisions that affect them, their communities, and the environment. PB Scotland recognises this fund as delivering the standard required for it to be considered as Green PB; The Green PB Seal recognises dedicated, thematic Green PB where all resources are expended to further the climate change agenda and contribute to Scotland’s Just Transition to net zero.