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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).

The Renewable Energy Fund is a fund set up and administered by East Ayrshire Council to distribute developer contributions from Wind Farm developments within East Ayrshire.There are currently four operational wind farms making a contribution to the Renewable Energy Fund:- Afton wind farm- Galawhistle wind farm- Hare Hill wind farm extensions- Whitelee wind farmThe grants are intended to offer support to provide or maintain cultural, social, welfare, recreational or sporting facilities or to promote these activities. The grants are also provided to assist community-based projects that are in the interests of the community or the environment.

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which is the organiser of the annual Enchanted Forest and light show in Pitlochry, supports a wide range of community projects in Highland Perthshire.This year the are actively seeking applicants who can use the funds to:1. Help the people in need with the cost of living crisis in the Highland Perthshire area.2. Help with battling child poverty and focus on child welfare.3. Increase inclusion, enablement, independence, mental health and wellbeing.4. Increase access to employment, volunteering, learning, culture, sport, and leisure opportunities.5. Improve infrastructure that benefits the community.6. Promote sustainability through best practices.

Grants will support any aspect of sustainable development within communities in the Marr area. If they are related to larger schemes the grant can be used for project start-up costs or to help groups develop a project idea. The grant scheme also provides support, advice and help with the development of project aims and/or management. They have funded a wide range of projects including: transport initiatives, information directories, local communications networks, environmental improvement schemes, cultural and historical projects, and projects related to tourism.

The Fund supports community activity and development by supporting the charitable activities of constituted, not-for-profit groups working to benefit the community. It is open to groups operating in the Halkirk District Community Council area with priority given to projects within a four kilometre radius of the Achlachan Wind Farm. Applications must meet at least one of the following outcomes:- Developing services and facilities- Sustaining and creating employment- Increasing skills and knowledge- Preserving and enhancing or giving better access to culture, heritage and the environment- Getting around and getting connected

The Co-op Local Community Fund gives money to local causes, helping to bring people together and make a difference. They give preference to projects run by small, local organisations that make a real difference to people in their community.You can apply if your project supports People or our Planet in the following ways.They're looking for projects that:- enable people to access food- create opportunities for young people- improve people’s mental wellbeing- promote community cohesion- build sustainable futures.They’re also keen to support projects that promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion.

The West Lothian Development Trust fund distributes money received from windfarm developments in West Lothian. The Trust administers five grant funds from the following Windfarms: Black Law, Pateshill, Tormywheel, Pearie Law, Harburnhead, and Cowdenhead.Projects should meet one of the following priorities; - relieve poverty, advance education or social purposes beneficial to an eligible community- promote and encourage environmental improvement or enhancement- secure investment, create employment, implement training, promote or secure sustainable development- provide or assist in the provision of renewable energy.

For Bute runs a charity thrift shop to raise funds to support local groups and individuals in Bute. It supports a wide variety of causes.

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.

The Fund is provided by Lairg Wind Farm Ltd, the operator of the Lairg Wind Farm - the three turbine site at Cnoc Na Inghinnin to benefit the Lairg Community Council area. The Fund will provide grants to support charitable activities that:- Enhance quality of life for local residents- Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities, and- Promote community spirit and encourage community activity. Grants may be requested to support a wide range of costs and activities, such as equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional workers costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.Awards will be prioritised that can demonstrate significant added value through, by example:- Levering in additional funding from other sources. - Working in partnership with other groups and organisations to scale up projects and increase opportunities.- Projects that have reach beyond one particular group or demographic that have potential to benefit the whole community.