Search

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 Shetland CLLD Programme is a grant fund provided by the Scottish Government. The delivery of Shetland CLLD is overseen by the Shetland Islands Local Action Group (LAG) – a group of representatives from organisations with economic, social, environmental and community interests in Shetland. The CLLD grant fund is administered by Shetland Islands Council on behalf of the LAG. The principal focus for activity is to support sustainable projects which can be reflected within the programme’s four priority areas:- Helping families and services through the cost-of-living crises, including helping to address the drivers of child poverty- Increasing community capacity to address rural challenges- Transforming the economy to deliver net zero- Creating sustainable local servicesProjects that support one or more of the programme priorities will be considered for funding.

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 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 UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Communities and Place Grant has been created to help communities deliver projects that will support local priorities and help them to thrive and grow.The objectives of the UKSPF Communities and Place Grant are to:- Strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging- Build resilient, healthy and safe neighbourhoodsFor full details about the fund, please visit the north Ayrshire Council website to view the guidelines.

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.

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.

South Ayrshire’s Coastal Community Fund has been established to invest funds from the region’s allocation of net revenue from Scottish Crown Estate marine assets out to 12 nautical miles across South Ayrshire.Applications should: - demonstrate tangible benefits to the economy and/or safety, health and wellbeing of coastal communities. - demonstrate their contribution to the Council Priorities and Commitments Fund priorities are:For small grant only:- To assist with barriers to sustain the group- To develop new projects/ideas For development grant only:- deliver improvements to public places that will increase the number of visitors - make coastal communities more attractive places to live and work - demonstrate a strong link to local strategies and local place plans

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.

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