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pilot a small number of grants to organisations to provide additional capacity to review their governance

The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is supporting community and faith organisations to install solar PV and battery storage in their buildings. This is a short-term pilot, funded by the Scottish Government and Great British Energy, with funds needing to be spent and claimed by 31 March 2026.Demand is expected to be high for this funding, with many communities already in a position to mobilise projects very quickly. Funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis. If you are developing a new project, read the guidance and self-assessment checklist carefully and prioritise seeking a quote if you think you are eligible.To be able to install within the pilot timescale, easier installation projects will be more suited to this funding. Therefore, while it is not a requirement, they suggest that the proposed project:- Is not in a conservation area or within the curtilage of a listed building.- Is under 50kW of solar PV.- Is on an easily accessible roof, which is built after 1930s (as the roof will be more likely to meet structural requirements).- Is not part of a more significant building renovation that would increase the risk of programme delays.

The Scottish Connections Fund offers funding to organisations to set up new projects to promote Scotland’s reputation and interests. It is open to individuals and organisations who consider themselves to have a Scottish connection.You must also be able to demonstrate that your project:- has a clear link to at least one commitment in the Scottish Connections Framework- bring together or contribute to interests across sectors of activity (live/work, study, visit, do business, culture) - those multiple links will attract additional weighting during the scoring process- will increase vibrancy, visibility or connectivity between Scottish diaspora communities outside Scotland, or with Scotland itself- has a credible communications plan that promotes Scotland’s reputation as a place to live, work, visit, study, and do business- promotes inclusion and diversity, for example working in historically marginalised communities and groups, such as with minority ethnic Scots and LGBTQ communities, or encouraging participation of women and young people- is co-funded, where possibleYou can use funding to pay for things directly related to the project, for example:- venue rental- IT hardware and software- learning materials- equipment and implementation costs- travel and accommodation costs where justifiableProjects must be completed by the end of March 2026.

The fund aims to support community groups and organisations that are encouraging and facilitating greater use of woods by people to derive health, well-being and community benefits.Eligible activities include include activities associated with woodland-based:- school care clubs and play schemes- schemes that promote physical activity such as walking, safe routes to school, natural play and adventure play- volunteer group establishment and the induction of volunteers- volunteering facilitation focused on skills training, health improvement and community development- projects promoting GaelicThe fund can support activities such as:- providing resources to involve communities in the decision making process of managing their local woodland- costs incurred by community bodies (such as valuation costs) when developing Community Asset Transfer Scheme applications – funding will not normally cover legal fees- developing materials (in appropriate languages e.g. English, Scots, Gaelic, Polish, Urdu etc.) that promote the health and well-being benefits of using woodlands