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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 W. G Edwards Charitable Foundation is an independent grant-making charity which assists with the provision of care for the over-65s. The Foundation makes small grants to improve the health and wellbeing of people over the age of 65 in the UK. This could be assistance towards a capital project such as refurbishment, furniture or equipment; or towards an innovative project such as fitness classes, lunch clubs, gardening projects, etc.The Foundation only supports items or projects where at least 90% of the beneficiaries are over the age of 65.

The Tailored Support Fund is intended to fund projects which relate to the re-use of a historic building but do not fulfil the criteria of the other AHF grant programmes. Projects applying to this fund will generally be characterised by:- a strong community-led ethos;- a desire to give new purpose to a building valued locally for its architectural heritage;- plans that demonstrate strong social, economic or environmental benefits that help meet local need.They are particularly keen to hear from projects that might be aiming to create something unique and exceptional; or which will contribute more widely to enriching Scotland’s built environment fabric through trying new and better ways of doing things, i.e. innovative approaches with potential for replication and wider learning.

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 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 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.

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 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.

The Private Lane Improvement Fund's purpose is to:- create opportunities for groups and organisations to carry out initiatives which improve the environmental quality of residential lanes throughout the city.- enhance the local environment through short, medium or long term sustainable initiatives to their lane.- have a positive impact on the appearance of the area, reduce/improve associated issues (D3) to increase positive usage by residents.- engage and involve local people in making a difference in their neighbourhood.The Private Lane Improvement Fund has key priority areas it will focus on, these are:- Environmental Improvements to residential lanes- Initiatives to reduce associated issues or make improvements within residential lanes such as:- Fly Tipping - Trees/Vegetation- Lane Surface Water/Drainage Issues - Antisocial Behaviour - Food growing - Enhanced biodiversity All awards must be spent within 6 months of award.

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.