The community buildings fund is now fully allocated and currently closed to new applications.

Applicants that have already submitted their applications in full will be contacted with a funding decision in due course.

We encourage communities to continue to develop their community buildings projects. Top tips to prepare include:

  • Look at CARES case studies for information and inspiration and consider a learning visit to another community project.
  • Get a free energy audit from Business Energy Scotland or other independent advice to review the types of measures appropriate for your building.
  • Research any requirements for consents, for example building warrants or planning permission.
  • Sign up to the CARES newsletter where we publish any updates on funding and sign post to new funds.

For those projects already working on an application on the CARES Project Portal, note that the information provided is not lost, and can be used for future applications.  Where appropriate, please keep this information up to date using your login details.

Advice through CARES remains available, and the Scottish Government is currently assessing the needs of any future support and funding for community energy.

The community buildings fund is now fully allocated and currently closed to new applications.

 

The Community Buildings Fund helps community organisations reduce their building energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions by installing renewable technologies such as heat pumps, batteries, and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, along with energy efficiency measures.

Projects that have been approved must have funds claimed by 28 February 2025.

Are you eligible?

You’ll be an eligible organisation like a charity, community or faith group based in Scotland.

You’ll need to install eligible measures like air source heat pumps, solar panels, energy efficiency measures and be committed to decarbonising your heating.

You’ll be improving a community or charitable building which you own or have a lease for that’s used frequently with high energy costs.

How to apply

1. Read the full funding guidance to find out if your organisation, building and improvements are eligible. We’ve also put together some answers to frequently asked questions to help you work out if the fund is right for you.

2. Choose your technology and start getting quotes from installers (see our funding guidance for more information).

3. Apply online via our CARES project portal . If you are a CARES applicant organisation that has not received CARES funding before please click the ‘Begin a new project’ button. This allows you to submit an expression of interest form containing basic information about your organisation and project to enable us to assess eligibility. If we approve your expression of interest, we will send you a link to create a new account for your project.

If you are an applicant organisation that has received CARES funding in the past, we are currently setting up a CARES project portal account on your behalf. We will contact you soon with details of how to access your new account and this will enable you to apply for additional funding (including for any new project). View our CARES portal user guidance on how to use the portal.

4. You have until 28 February 2025 to complete your project.

Need help?

If you are interested in developing a renewable energy project in your community building, but aren’t sure where to start, help is on hand from Local Energy Scotland staff in your area.

We also have a wide range of resources and online tools available which can guide you through the options.