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The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) supports communities to engage with, participate in and benefit from the energy transition to net zero emissions. CARES can support a wide range of projects including installing renewable technologies in community buildings, community benefits and shared ownership. The CARES Development Fund is designed to help communities take that first step on their community energy journey. First steps include:- Raising awareness of your energy project idea.- Completing an options appraisal to understand the types of projects you might carry out.- Completing a first step feasibility study to see if your idea might work.- Funding for some staff time to progress your idea.To be eligible for this fund you should be at an early stage in developing your own community energy project or have an opportunity to investigate shared ownership of a commercially owned renewable energy project. This fund is all about getting started for either community-owned renewable energy projects or investigating shared ownership (where community groups make an investment in a commercially owned renewable energy project).

Falkirk Council is inviting applications from third sector organisations for funding to deliver innovative, person-centered, and test of concept projects that prevent homelessness, promote rapid rehousing, and support tenancy sustainment across the Falkirk area. The fund will support trauma informed, innovative, practical, and person-centred projects that address the key challenges faced by people on low incomes at risk of homelessness, are homeless, moving on from temporary and supported accommodation to transition into permanent accommodation as smoothly and as quickly as possible. Ensuring that they are equipped with skills, tools and confidence to maintain tenancies, make a house a home and integrate into their local communities.Applicants may choose to deliver one or more of the following priority themes or propose their own ideas aligned to the Key Focus Areas:- Move-On Garden Support Project - Move-On Decorating Support Project - Small Goods to Make a House a Home Project - Youth Homelessness Prevention Project The funding will cover activity from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027.

The purpose of the Trust is to hold and distribute funds for charitable purposes as set out in the Trusts governing. These include: - the prevention or relief of poverty- the advancement of education- the advancement of religion- the advancement of health- the saving of lives- the advancement of citizenship or community development- the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science- the provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended- the advancement of environmental protection or improvement- the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage- the advancement of animal welfare.Previous grantees have included Aberlour Child Care Trust, Chest Heart and Stroke (Scotland), Fife Young Carers, Pitlochry Theatre, and RNLI (Anstruther).

The broad aim of the Heart of the Community Grant Trust is to provide financial grants for community projects that deliver lasting change within the regions in which the Company operates. Those regions are: Shetland, Orkney, Highland and Argyll. Key areas for support include:- Creating affordable, family-oriented activities- Giving younger generations the same opportunities as those in more central areas- Safeguarding mental wellbeing- Combating isolation- Providing lifeline servicesIf you are interested in applying for support but for a project that doesn’t fall into one of their core areas of support?They will consider good causes of all kinds, if they’ll benefit the communities close to their farms and facilities.Please note that given the ongoing rise in the cost of living and, in turn, increased demand for support, they prioritise applications from groups and causes close to their farms and facilities.

This small trust supports conservation and community projects throughout Arran including wildlife, paths and trails, marine, conservation, and sustainability. The applicants must demonstrate a clear and positive contribution to the environment, and projects should be accessible to members of the public, and benefit the local community.

The fund provides grants to support charitable activities in Avonbridge and Standburn that:- Enhance quality of life for local residents.- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities.- Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.

SSE operates a wind farm at Spurness on the Orkney Isles. The SSE Spurness Community Investment Fund contributes to the communities located around the wind farm. The community fund can support projects which:- develop skills and abilities to implement projects that are important to the island’s future- support the acquisition, development and use of community assets- increase the involvement with local organisations and community activity- overcome the barriers that can prevent disadvantaged or excluded members of the community from enjoying a high quality of life, particularly young people and the elderly- involve them in caring for the environment and ensuring it is protected for future generations- strengthens the local economy through community-led entrepreneurial activity

The objectives of The Edgar E Lawley Foundation are for general charitable purposes within the categories of Hospices, Children & Young People, Elderly, Community, Disabled and Medical Research/Other.Its area of benefit is to any charity or not for profit organisation within the United Kingdom. The Foundation’s preference is to award unrestricted grants to smaller charities and not for profit organisations.

Scottish Hydro operates a 19 turbine wind farm at Achany in the Highland region. The Scottish Hydro Achany Community Investment Fund contributes to the communities located around the wind farm. The Achany community fund can support projects which:- Strengthen and diversify the local economy through support for social enterprises, especially those that explore, test and develop activity that sensitively exploits the area’s tourist potential or niche business areas- Stimulate new ideas and innovative approaches to generate growth and development and new employment- Support the acquisition, development and use of new community assets and maintain and enhance existing ones- Ensure adequate provision and/or services are available for the community that improve their life chances and/or quality of life- Support efforts that co-ordinate community activity and optimise local resources and assets- Respond to unforeseen circumstances or opportunities that are in keeping with the broad Fund aims identified above

Supports projects located within or directly benefiting the community council area of Barr. It supports charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Barr.Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.