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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).

Patagonia supports environmental organizations with bold, direct-action agendas and a commitment to long-term change.They support innovative work that addresses the root causes of the environmental crisis and seeks to protect both the environment and affected communities. They believe local battles to protect a specific stand of forest, a stretch of river, an indigenous wild species or a community from a polluting refinery build public support and confront larger, more complex issues like climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental justice. They encourage work that brings underrepresented communities to the forefront of the environmental movement and defend communities whose health and livelihoods are threatened by environmental exploitation. They support multipronged campaigns that push for greater environmental protections and force the government to abide by its own laws.They fund work that:- builds an equitable, inclusive and diverse environmental movement- confronts systemic bias, discrimination and injustice in environmental policy or outdoor spaces- is action-oriented- focuses on root causes- has a clear strategy- identifies specific goals and objectives that can be effectively measured to evaluate success- builds public involvement and civic engagement- works to build an inclusive and diverse environmental movement- takes place within the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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 Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund seeks to inspire, encourage, and enable communities to explore and deliver ambitious ecosystem restoration projects locally. It also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of local ecosystem restoration and address barriers faced by community-led efforts. They are most interested in funding the development stages and successful organisations will also receive professional fundraising support to move their projects from development stage to delivery.Your project must focus on one (or more) parts of ecosystem restoration. These are:- Connecting nature corridors- Habitat and species restoration- Freshwater and wetland restoration- Coastal and marine initiatives- Control of invasive non-native species impacting on nature- Enhancing and connecting nature within villages, towns, or citiesThis Fund is supported by the Carman Family Foundation, the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, which is managed by NatureScot, and others. Inspiring Scotland is administering this funding.

Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig is a scheme funded by Creative Scotland and administered on its behalf by Fèisean nan Gàidheal. It is open to organisations and individuals. Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig is designed to assist the delivery of Gaelic arts projects. In 2023-24, priority will be given to arts projects which:- Are delivered through the medium of Gaelic- Contribute to the use or learning of Gaelic- Enable individual artists, groups of artists, or arts organisations to create and/or present work - Involve international partnerships- Enable individual artists to address personal development needs- Develop skills within arts organisations or communities as a means to creating sustainability.

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

Better Breaks is a funding programme of the Short Breaks Fund, operated by Shared Care Scotland on behalf of the National Carers Organisations and the Scottish Government. The purpose of the Short Breaks Fund is to increase the range, availability, and choice of short breaks for unpaid carers and those they care for across Scotland.The Better Breaks programme funds a wide range of short breaks projects and services, including activities and breaks for:- Disabled children and young people without their carers- Families to enjoy together- Young/sibling carers with the person they care forProjects must be able to evidence how their activities will benefit both children and young people with disabilities and their carers, by providing a break from their normal routine. These breaks should increase opportunities for children and young people to engage in activities they enjoy, give carers a break from their caring role, and improve wellbeing for all involved.