New Funding for Employability Projects Across the UK

Brief Summary: UK-registered charities working to improve employability outcomes can now apply for multi-year funding through the Aberdeen Group Charitable Trust’s Initiatives Fund. Grants of between £600,000 and £1 million are available over a period of three years.

Closing Date: 04/02/2026

The funding follows the recent merger of the Aberdeen Group Charitable Foundation and the abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, resulting in the formation of the new Aberdeen Group Charitable Trust. The Trust will concentrate on three core areas: financial capability, employability and the role of nature in healthy communities and economies.

The Trust has three funding pillars:

• Ideas (expected to open in March 2026) – supporting pilot initiatives that aim to create sustainable solutions to persistent challenges.
• Initiatives (now open) – providing substantial multi-year grants aligned to direct programme delivery.
• Insights (expected to open in late 2026) – investing in research on financial capability and routes to fair work to inform future action.

This Initiative funding round is one of two planned each year and is designed to support large-scale, impact-driven partnerships with charities delivering direct programmes. The aim is to empower long-term change by helping people overcome barriers to accessing fair, secure and sustainable employment.

The Trust is particularly interested in applications from charities with an annual income below £5 million, projects covering the whole of the UK or England and Wales and initiatives that create clear pathways into fair work. Priority will also be given to programmes supporting people aged 25 and over and organisations located within commuting distance of Aberdeen’s key UK offices in Edinburgh, London, or Manchester.

Eligible projects may include skills development and training, holistic career guidance, education support, or progression opportunities that improve job security and prospects. Funding is intended for direct project costs, with associated running costs capped at 10% of the total grant request.

There is a three-stage application process.

The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest is 4 February 2026.

For further information on how to obtain this fund, please contact the following:
Aberdeen Group Charitable Trust
1 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2LL
Email: charitabletrust@aberdeenplc.com