Local Energy Scotland - Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings (CARES)

Details

The Community Buildings Fund, part of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), provides grants to help community organisations reduce their building’s energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. It does this by funding the installation of renewable technologies like heat pumps, battery storage, and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, as well as some energy efficiency measures.

Grants up to £80,000 for 80% of eligible costs are available to eligible community groups to help you reduce energy costs and make your building more sustainable. The funding can be used towards the cost of installing renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. It can also be used for costs like building warrants, planning permission and grid connection applications which are essential to install some measures.

What improvements will CARES fund?

1. Heating requirement

CARES funding is prioritised to buildings that have or will decarbonise their heating. Your building must have:

• A heat pump (air source, ground source or water source).
• A connection to a heat network.
• Direct electric heating (including storage heating or electric boilers) biomass heating.

Or as part of your CARES project you will be installing:

• A heat pump; or
• A connection to a heat network.

2. Core measures eligible for CARES funding.

You must install at least one core CARES measures:

• A heat pump (air source, ground source or water source).
• A connection to heat network.
• Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.
• Solar water heating.

3. Add-on measures

In addition to installing a core measure(s), you can also apply for funding to install one or more of the following:

• Energy storage – heat/thermal or electrical. Insulation – any loft, underfloor or cavity wall insulation.
• Secondary glazing.
• Draught proofing.
• Appropriate energy saving controls that are linked to new installations to ensure they operate efficiently.

Eligible community buildings include, but are not limited to:

• Village halls.
• Community centres.
• Community hubs.
• Sports facilities.
• Faith buildings.

The building must be used by the local community or charitable organisation.

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Geographical areas funded: Scotland

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Capital

Fund award sizes

Maximum:

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Notes on award amounts:

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Who can apply

Applicants must be 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.

When to apply

Applications can be submitted at any time while the fund is open. Funding is allocated on a first come, first served basis once applications are complete, and the fund will close to applications when funding is fully allocated. Submitting an application does not guarantee funding.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online through the CARES project portal and can be completed in stages. Applicants start with an expression of interest, then complete an organisation eligibility check, then submit the full application. Applicants need to evidence their technology choices, seek quotes and submit their preferred quote with the application. Further information is available on the funder's website.

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Exclusions

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Activites funded: Community facilities Environment Energy Climate action

Beneficiaries funded: Local communities

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Last reviewed 4 days ago