A total amount of £100,000 is available for the Coastal Community Fund this year, with the remaining Crown Estate funding being earmarked to aid strategic investment over the course of five years. 

Community-led projects can apply for grants ranging between £10,000 and £20,000, while strategic partnership projects can apply for grants of between £20,000 and £50,000.

Applicants that are eligible include community groups, charities, social enterprises, development trusts, educational institutions as well as public sector organisations. 

Projects are required to have a clear link to Moray’s coast or sea and be situated within 12 nautical miles of the Moray coastline.

The applications, which started being accepted from 24 July will continue to be accepted until 18 September 2026. After the assessment process, eligible projects will progress onto a public vote on Moray Engage.

The fund for last year supported a broad array of projects, such as the Adventure by the Sea Festival, accessibility improvements at Burghead beach, upgrades at the Scottish Dolphin Centre and improvements to community facilities in Spey Bay and Portknockie. Nearly 9,000 votes had been cast.

Councillor Marc Macrae, chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “The response to the Coastal Community Fund in its first year showed just how many ambitious ideas there are across Moray’s coastal communities.

“It was also fantastic to see so many people taking part in the public vote and helping to decide which projects should receive funding …”