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.
Grants of up to 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £80,000 are available until 31 March 2025. Funding is subject to availability and subject to the applicant’s ability to complete the project and claim all funds by 31 March 2025.
How much is available?
Grant funding is available for up to 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £80,000. The inclusion or exclusion of VAT in CARES funding offers does not alter the grant maximum of £80,000.
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 12 months to complete your project from the date its approved.
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.