New round of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) on 30 July.
This new funding round is specifically focused on supporting community buildings across Scotland.
Through CARES grant funding, advice and support is available to community organisations, charitable organisations and faith groups that want to decarbonise their community buildings by installing low carbon or renewable energy systems, such as heat pumps or solar panels.
Funding is available for many types of community buildings, including:
- community cafes
- community hubs
- faith buildings
- public halls
- community halls and centres.
CARES has already supported many community organisations throughout Scotland to successfully install renewable technologies in their community buildings. You can read about these projects on our website, including:
- Inverness Masjid installed solar panels at its mosque, and with further assistance from CARES, installed battery storage too.
- 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.
Through a combination of grants and loans, CARES can fund up to 100% of the eligible project costs. Funding operates on a first come basis, and early applications are encouraged.
Expressions of interest should be submitted in the first instance. The funding call will close to new applications on Thursday 30 September 2021, or earlier should the funding call budget be reached.
Visit www.localenergy.scot/net-zero-community-buildings for full information and how to apply.