The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is here to support communities to engage with, participate in and benefit from the energy transition to net zero emissions.

The new Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings Fund under CARES will help community organisations reduce their building energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The fund opens in May 2022 and is planned to run until the end of March 2025, subject to funding availability.

Funding is available for many types of self-managed community buildings, including:

• village halls
• community centres
• community hubs
• sports facilities
• faith buildings

Grant

Grant funding is available for up to 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £80,000. Please see the guidance for full information.

Eligibility

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.

Some common community organisation structures include:

• Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIO)
• Private Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG)
• Community Benefit Societies (BenCom)
• Community Interest Companies (CIC)

Organisations that are constituted but unincorporated may also apply but must provide additional information.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• a minimum of three unrelated persons on the organisations’ management committee or board that are local to the area served by the community building
• that their area of benefit is in Scotland
• a commitment to demonstrating the low carbon technologies in the building and raising awareness among building users and the wider community. This should also include raising awareness of support available through Home Energy Scotland to help people reduce energy in their homes.

How To Apply

1. Read the guidance to find out if your organisation, building and improvements are eligible. Also the FAQs to help you work out if the fund is right for you.
2. Choose your technology. Get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), an energy report from Business Energy Scotland, or a feasibility study that justifies your technology choice. You can also start getting quotes from installers (see mentioned guidance above for more information).
3. Complete an application form and return it to us as soon as possible.
4. You have 12 months to complete your project from the date it’s approved.