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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.

Projects requiring funding from the Local Community Planning Budget should meet some of the priorities of your local area’s community plan Local Community Plans.The types of projects that can be supported are: - Take a pride in your community- Improvements to community facilities- Community Events; Employability Initiatives- Vulnerable or disadvantaged groups in a community- Links to Fairer Fife Commission Initiatives

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 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 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.

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.

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 Inverclyde Windfarm Fund is a 10-year grant scheme partnership between Inverclyde Renewables LLP and Inverclyde Community Fund. It provides grants for community groups and voluntary organisations to progress projects within their local communities. The Fund must be used to provide funding or grants to projects which support and promote at least one of the following causes:- Environmental- Renewable Energy- Energy Efficiency- Sustainable Development- Charitable- Educational- Community- Sport and Recreation- General community amenity schemes

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.