Grassroots Organisations in Aberdeen Urged to Apply for ABZWorks Development Funding
Grassroots organisations in Aberdeen have a fresh opportunity to secure crucial funding for local employability projects. With less than a week to go, the clock is ticking for groups to submit their applications for the ABZWorks Development Fund – Phase 3, a programme designed to support residents facing barriers to employment.
Run by Aberdeen City Council’s employability service ABZWorks, the initiative aims to give local groups the tools and resources they need to help people move closer to the labour market through education, training, and volunteering opportunities.
This is the third round of funding in 2024, and it follows two previous rounds that have already delivered £191,277 in support to 19 community organisations. With applications set to close at noon on Monday, 16 December 2024, organisations that miss the deadline risk losing access to a valuable source of financial support.
The ABZWorks Development Fund provides financial support for grassroots, community-based organisations that are working to break down barriers to employment in Aberdeen. It specifically targets groups that are not on the Council’s procurement framework for employability services, ensuring that smaller, community-driven initiatives have access to funding.
The fund is open to a wide range of groups, from voluntary organisations to local charities and community groups, with a focus on delivering projects in the city’s most vulnerable areas. Priority locations include neighbourhoods like Kincorth, Ashgrove, Stockethill, Torry, George Street, and Middlefield, as well as several other communities where residents may face higher-than-average barriers to employment.
For many residents, especially those living in economically disadvantaged areas, access to employment can be hindered by factors like limited work experience, a lack of education, disability, or previous offending behaviour. The ABZWorks fund aims to provide these residents with targeted, community-based support, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Councillor Christian Allard, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council, highlighted the role of community expertise in driving success:
“It is important that we utilise and support community and third sector expertise to connect with and help people in Aberdeen towards employment, particularly those who in the past would have faced barriers for various reasons.”
The logic behind the fund is simple: by supporting local solutions to local problems, the council can empower grassroots organisations to offer tailored support, build relationships, and drive people toward meaningful employment.
The types of activities supported by the ABZWorks fund are diverse but all have a common goal: to improve employability prospects. Previous funding rounds have supported initiatives focused on:
Confidence building
Well-being support
Job clubs and work experience programmes
IT and digital literacy training, such as introductory computer courses
Parenting support and family-focused activities
These activities are essential for individuals who face complex barriers to employment, such as young people with no clear post-school pathway, individuals with disabilities, those with care experience, and parents or carers who struggle to balance responsibilities at home with opportunities for work or study.
To date, the first two rounds of funding in 2024 have benefited 19 grassroots organisations. These include some well-known local initiatives as well as emerging groups that are creating significant community impact.
Round 1 Recipients
Absafe
Cairncry Community Centre
Third Level Foundation
Denis Law Legacy Trust
Black and Scot
Ferryhill Men’s Shed
Silver City Surfers
The Bridge
WeToo!
YMCA
Round 2 Recipients
Autism and Neurodiversity North Scotland
Touch of Love
Catalyst Transform
Denis Law Legacy Trust (again, demonstrating ongoing success)
Your Love Rara
Bethany Christian Trust
Middlefield Community Project
Inchgarth Community Centre
Music 4 U
Instant Neighbour
These organisations have delivered everything from youth empowerment programmes to digital inclusion initiatives aimed at older residents. Importantly, several of these organisations have returned for multiple rounds of funding, underscoring their continued impact on the community.
If your organisation is interested in applying for this round of funding, you’ll need to submit an application before noon on Monday, 16 December 2024. The application process is relatively simple, and support is available for those who need it.
Fill Out the Application Form: The form can be found on the ABZWorks website at www.abzworks.co.uk.
Get Help if You Need It: Applicants can request guidance from the ABZWorks team. If you’d like to discuss your proposal, you can request an appointment for Friday, 13 December 2024, via Microsoft Teams or telephone.
Submit Your Application: All applications must be submitted before the noon deadline. Previous applicants are eligible to apply again, so organisations that didn’t succeed in Rounds 1 or 2 have a second chance.
For any questions, email abzworks@aberdeencity.gov.uk with "ABZWorks Development Fund" in the subject line.
While the ABZWorks Development Fund has delivered tangible benefits for the community, it’s not without its challenges. Some critics point out that the fund’s limited timescales and relatively short application window make it difficult for smaller grassroots groups, especially those with fewer resources, to submit applications on time.
Additionally, with the total fund of £191,277 already split across 19 organisations, some might question whether the awards are sufficient to create long-term change. When funding is stretched across too many groups, the result can be a "drop in the ocean" effect, enough to start a programme but not enough to sustain it.
There is also the issue of continuity. Once funding runs out, there’s no guarantee that organisations will have the financial stability to maintain their initiatives. While the impact of employability projects is often long-term, the funding they receive is typically short-term and project-based, leading to concerns about sustainability.
Unemployment is a major challenge in some areas of Aberdeen, and the post-COVID labour market has left many people, particularly young people and marginalised groups, at risk of being left behind. Grassroots initiatives have proven to be some of the most effective ways to engage these groups, offering localised, culturally appropriate support that can break down barriers in a way that large national programmes often can’t.
The ABZWorks Development Fund is a prime example of how local authorities can empower communities to tackle unemployment head-on. By allowing community groups to develop projects that meet their own needs, the fund offers a far more tailored, localised approach than a top-down, one-size-fits-all model.
The ABZWorks Development Fund is a lifeline for grassroots organisations in Aberdeen. By helping people gain new skills, build confidence, and enter the workforce, it delivers meaningful, lasting impact in some of the city’s most disadvantaged areas.
However, while the scheme is clearly beneficial, it’s important that the council continues to streamline application processes and provide multi-year support rather than short-term project-based funding. Continuity is key when it comes to employability, as jobseekers often require sustained guidance and support over time.
