voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
Local Energy Scotland - Community Heat Development Programme
Created: 29/01/2024Do you have an idea for a climate-friendly way to heat your community?
If you want your community to go low carbon, support is available from the Scottish Government’s Community Heat Development Programme. Delivered by Local Energy Scotland, it supports communities (including groups of householders and community organisations) to develop their ideas for locally-generated, low and carbon heat projects.
Need some inspiration? Some examples of applications in the pipeline include:
Who Can Apply
They will accept applications from both:
Groups of householders and community organisations will need to evidence good levels of interest from their local community/neighbours.
Community organisations must be constituted, non-profit distributing community organisations, including organisations with charitable status. They should be established and operating across a geographically defined community.
Applications must be led by a group of householders or a community organisation. However, they are happy to accept applications where public and private sector partners are involved, provided the group of householders or the community organisation is the lead.
Who is not eligible to apply?
Housing associations, local authority and businesses are not eligible to lead bids but can be involved and may form a local partnership as the project progresses.
As set out above, the Community Heat Development Programme is for community organisations and groups of householders. Individual households are not eligible but can access support through Home Energy Scotland.
Some proposals may be too costly, complex, or time-consuming for this scheme. If this is the case, we will look to identify this at as early a stage as possible and signpost you to other areas of support.
How to Apply
Successful applicants will receive technical support to consider the feasibility of their project idea and will give advice on next steps, including any potential routes for further funding.
Find out about the Community Heat Development Programme and submit an expression of interest today.