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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 Pride in Place Impact Fund is a UK Government funding initiative delivered by local authorities. The fund should be used to target areas in need, with the aim of building strong, resilient, prosperous, and inclusive communities. Applications are invited for projects that will focus on one or both of the following two themes:Environmental projects that are:- Community-led- In collaboration with a local Housing Association(s)- Focussed on, or connected to, a Transformational Regeneration Area (although applications for other areas will also be considered)ORFood system projects that:- Demonstrably improve the development of sustainable provision of healthy and locally sourced food; and/or- Focus on town centres and identified food desertsInformation can be found on the webpage https://surf.scot/pride-in-place-impact-fund-2026-27-call-for-applications-from-glasgow-cc/

The ARIA Fund empowers local communities to address their unique challenges. As part of the Scottish Government's Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme, ARIA operates through a bottom-up decision-making process, with funding priorities and project selections determined by representatives from the local area who form the Local Action Group (LAG).There are 2 funds: the Main Fund, and Community Asset Maintenance Fund.Main Fund:Projects must demonstrate fit with at least one of the ARIA Fund priorities. These include:- Community Wealth Building- Quality of Life- Community Led Tourism (CLT) - Enterprise- Net ZeroCommunity Asset Maintenance Fund:The Community Asset Maintenance Fund supports the production of a property condition register (also known as a repairs register). This assesses the internal and external condition of the building and includes a costed schedule of repairs alongside a proposed maintenance plan with indicative dates for periodic upkeep (e.g., external decoration, gutter clearance, etc.). ARIA also offers a £2,000 sinking fund to help finance repairs.

The purpose of the Trust is to hold and distribute funds for charitable purposes as set out in the Trusts governing. These include: - the prevention or relief of poverty- the advancement of education- the advancement of religion- the advancement of health- the saving of lives- the advancement of citizenship or community development- the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science- the provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended- the advancement of environmental protection or improvement- the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage- the advancement of animal welfare.Previous grantees have included Aberlour Child Care Trust, Chest Heart and Stroke (Scotland), Fife Young Carers, Pitlochry Theatre, and RNLI (Anstruther).

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