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voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
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Local Energy Scotland: Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings (CARES)
Created: 28/07/2025
News/Events Category: Funding and Finance
This item will show under the following categories: Climate/Environment Governance
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 fund will help community organisations reduce their building energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Funding is available for many types of community buildings, including:
- community cafes
- community hubs
- faith buildings
- public halls
- community halls and centres.
CARES supports communities to engage, participate and benefit in the energy transition to net zero. They will support projects that:
- accelerate the uptake of community and locally owned renewable energy, to meet Scotland’s 2030 2GW ambition
- support community involvement in local energy systems that lead to new installations of locally owned renewable energy generation
- support shared ownership projects (where a community group invests in a commercial renewable energy project)
- assist communities to maximise the impact from community benefit funds through community consultation, action planning and good governance.
You must install at least one of the following:
- a heat pump (air source, ground source or water source)
- a connection to heat network
- solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
- solar water heating.
All work related to this funding must be completed and all funding claimed by 28 February 2026.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be a constituted non-profit distributing community organisations, including organisations with charitable status, that are established and operating across a geographically defined community (‘local community organisations’) or faith groups. The building must be owned or leased by the applicant and must be used by the local community or a charitable organisation.
How to apply
Apply online via the Local Energy Scotland website. You should get an energy audit from Business Energy Scotland, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or a feasibility study to justify your choice of technology. Full details are available in the fund guidelines.
The closing date for applications is Friday 31 October 2025 or when funding is fully allocated, whichever is sooner.
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