Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings Fund

New funding is now available from the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). The fund aims to support community organisations to reduce their building energy costs and carbon emissions.

The Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings Fund is open now and is planned to run until the end of March 2025, subject to funding availability.

Funding is available for many types of community building, including:

• community cafes
• community hubs
• faith buildings
• public halls
• community halls and centres.

Grant funding is available for up to 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £80,000.  Please read the funding guidance for full information.  Applicants must be constituted non-profit distributing community organisations, including organisations with charitable status, that are established and operating across a geographically defined community, or faith groups.

CARES has already supported many community organisations throughout Scotland to successfully install renewable technologies in their community buildings, including:

• Cairnlea Parish Church installed two air source heat pumps and now has a cosy hall to restart its community activities
• Aboyne and Mid-Deeside Community Shed installed four air source heat pumps to provide space heating at its community shed
• Loch Ness Hub installed solar panels and an air source heat pump to decarbonise the building’s heat and energy supply.

Full details of how to apply, including an application form, are on the Local Energy Scotland website.

Applicants must read the full funding guidance to find out if their organisation, building, and improvements are eligible.