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. You must be a constituted, non-profit distributing community organisation (including SCIO, CIC, Company by Guarantee, Community Benefit Society). The funding will decarbonise existing self-managed community buildings.

Eligible community buildings include, but are not limited to: village halls; community centres; community hubs; sports facilities and faith buildings.

CARES funding is not available for new builds.

The building must be owned or leased by the applicant and, if you are a tenant, you must have:

 • A valid and viable lease in place for at least five more years after the project is completed and/or the right to extend it for the equivalent period.

 • Evidence of permission from the building owners (or the rights stated in the lease) to carry out all proposed works

• If the building has previously been a government or local authority building, there must be evidence that the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) agreement is complete. Approved projects must be completed and all funding claimed by the end of February 2026.

Open to applications until the end of October 2025, or until funding is fully allocated, whichever is sooner.CARES Community Buildings Fund · Local Energy Scotland