Join us for a day of learning, collaboration and inspiration at the CARES Conference 2026: People Make Projects. The conference will bring together community organisations, advisers, developers, consultants and delivery partners from across Scotland.
Whether your community organisation is taking its first exploratory step, building on an existing project, or planning for the future, the conference will have something to offer you.
Through inspiring case studies, practical sessions and networking opportunities, you’ll gain new insights, make valuable connections and discover the support available to help move your project from idea to reality.
Across Scotland, communities are using renewable energy and net zero projects to reduce energy costs, generate local income, strengthen community assets and build a more sustainable future. Behind every successful project are the people who bring communities together, build partnerships, overcome challenges and turn ambitious ideas into lasting local benefits. This year’s theme is ‘People Make Projects’ and will celebrate the people, partnerships and perseverance that make these projects possible.
The CARES Conference is for community organisations and groups interested in developing community energy and net zero projects.
Together, we’ll explore the experiences of the people behind successful projects, hear honest reflections on the challenges they’ve faced, and share practical lessons that others can apply in their own communities.
How to book
During the registration process you will be asked to select two preferred afternoon sessions. You can learn more about the afternoon sessions below, along with the full agenda for the day.
Book your free ticket and select your sessions
Agenda
Please note that the following times are approximate and are subject to change.
09:30 – 10:30 Arrival and registration
Refreshments will be available on arrival.
10:30 – 10:40 Welcome and introduction
- Speaker: Chris Morris, Local Energy Scotland
10:40 – 10:45 Minister’s keynote speech
- Speaker: Stephen Gethins, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy
10:45 – 11:15 People creating lasting impact
Turning project income into community change.
Behind every successful community energy project are people making decisions that shape the future of their communities. Through real-world examples, you’ll hear how communities are using project income, community benefit funding and shared ownership revenues to support local priorities, improve wellbeing and create opportunities for future generations.
Join the people leading this work as they share their experiences and explore how community energy projects can deliver lasting impact long after construction is complete.
- Speaker: Donald Boyd, Huntly Development Trust
- Speaker: Donald John MacSween, Point and Sandwick Development Trust
11:15 – 12:00 Celebrating the people behind community energy
Behind every successful project is a story of community leadership, collaboration and determination. Through a series of short presentations, you’ll hear directly from the people behind CARES-supported projects across Scotland as they share their experiences, achievements and lessons learned.
The session will showcase a range of approaches to community energy.
Gain practical insights and inspiration from communities that have turned ideas into action.
- Speaker: Bill Burgess, Border Ice Rink
- Speaker: Emmie Martin, Tiree Development Trust
- Speaker: Stephen Curran, Eco-congregations
- Speaker: Alex Fleming, Spark
12:00 – 12:30 Meet the exhibitors
Looking for funding, finance or specialist support? This quick-fire session introduces the organisations exhibiting at the conference and the opportunities they can offer your community. Hear directly from funders and support organisations before meeting them during the networking sessions to discuss your projects, ideas and future plans.
You’ll hear from:
- Local Energy Scotland
- Business Energy Scotland
- SP Energy Networks
- SSEN
- Thrive
- Triodos
- Democratic Finance Scotland
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and networking
Over lunch you can meet funders, key stakeholders and the Local Energy Scotland team to talk about your projects. You’ll also have a chance to visit the exhibitors again.
13:30 – 14:30 Afternoon session 1 – options below
14:30 – 15:00 Networking break
15:00 – 16:00 Afternoon session 2 – options below
16:00 – 16:20 Break
16:20 – 18:00 National Emergency Briefing film (optional)
An opportunity to watch and reflect on the National Emergency Briefing.
Hosted by Professor Stuart Galloway, University of Strathclyde
Afternoon session options
Please choose two of these afternoon sessions from the options below.
Session 1 – Community-public sector partnerships
Many of Scotland’s community energy projects are being delivered through partnerships between community organisations and public bodies. Communities can bring local leadership, investment and project development capacity, while public sector partners can provide assets, opportunities and long-term collaboration.
In this session, hear from the people behind successful community-public sector partnerships. Through practical case studies speakers will share the lessons they learned, what they would do differently, and the factors that were critical to success.
Speakers:
- Richard Witney, Onsite Generation
- Jim Lee
- Andrew Crighton, City of Edinburgh Council
- Ruth Dickinson, Local Energy Scotland
Session 2 – Community buildings: from idea to consent
Understanding planning, permissions and project development.
Community buildings can be ideal locations for renewable energy and net zero projects, but securing the necessary permissions and consents can be complex, particularly for listed buildings, historic sites and properties in conservation areas.
In this session, hear from communities that have successfully navigated these challenges, alongside organisations that support project development and planning. Speakers will share their experiences, the obstacles they faced, and the lessons they learned along the way.
You’ll gain practical insights into planning, listed building consent, stakeholder engagement and project development, helping you avoid common pitfalls and progress your project with confidence.
Speaker:
- Fidra Sym, Local Energy Scotland
- Becky McLean, Civic
- Alex Fleming, Spark
- David Wood, Planning Aid Scotland
Session 3 – Community buildings: operations and maintenance
What happens after the project is completed? This session focuses on the day-to-day realities of managing renewable energy systems in community buildings. Hear practical advice on maintenance, troubleshooting, monitoring and long-term asset management, alongside lessons from organisations that have successfully integrated renewable technologies into their buildings.
Whether you have an existing system or are planning a future installation, you’ll gain valuable insight into what it takes to keep projects performing well and delivering lasting benefits.
Speakers:
- Andrew Aldous, Community Ownership Support Service, DTAS
- Josh King, Gensource
- Dick Jenkins, Fetteresso church
Session 4 – Facilitating shared ownership
Unlocking shared ownership opportunities.
Shared ownership can offer communities a route into renewable energy projects while creating long-term local benefits. Learn about new tools, support services and approaches designed to connect communities and developers. This session will explore what successful shared ownership looks like in practice and how communities can identify and pursue opportunities at an early stage.
Speakers:
- Christina Hinds, Local Energy Scotland
- Morven Lyon, Democratic Finance Scotland, DTAS
- Jessica Hogan, Regen
Session 5 – Keeping energy value local
Communities are increasingly looking beyond renewable generation and exploring how energy can be generated, used and shared locally. By connecting local generation with local demand, communities can reduce costs, create new income streams and retain more of the value created by their projects.
This session will explore innovative approaches including local energy markets, Energy Local Clubs and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Through practical examples, including Tiree’s journey towards a more locally integrated energy system, speakers will share the opportunities, challenges and lessons involved in making energy work better for local people and places.
You’ll gain practical insights into how communities can maximise local benefits and strengthen the long-term case for community energy projects.
Speakers:
- Emmie Martin, Tiree Community Development Trust
- Temi Omojola, Energy Local
- Simon Gill, University of Strathclyde
- Douglas Tollemache, Scottish Government
Session 6 – Unlocking energy opportunities on Forestry and Land Scotland managed land
This session explores how communities can benefit from renewable energy projects on land managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. From developing new community-led projects, to taking over leases during repowering, to investing through shared ownership in commercial developments, hear about the opportunities emerging across Scotland and the partnerships needed to make them happen.
Hear from Scottish Government, Forestry and Land Scotland and support organisations about the policy context, practical opportunities of developing projects on public land.
Speaker:
- Chris Morris, Local Energy Scotland
- Rebecca Carr, Forestry and Land Scotland
- Emma Shepherd, Scottish Government