Community groups
We work with community groups that are tackling climate change through local community-led projects where the aim is to reduce energy use and encourage behaviour change within the community.
How does Home Energy Scotland help community groups?
We can help you plan and deliver local energy advice services that engage householders to support uptake of energy saving home improvements, low carbon heating systems and renewable technologies. We can offer project development advice, signpost you to funding, feedback on draft applications, a letter of support where relevant and ongoing partnership. We also support projects that help to tackle fuel poverty and can provide you with access to our secure online referral portal.
Workshops and training
Our fun and interactive workshops can be delivered online or in person and are a great way to bring your community together. Topics cover saving energy at home, saving water, and renewable technologies.
We can offer training for your staff and volunteers to provide basic energy advice to households and refer or signpost them for more support, or we can train them to give good advice on electric heating and restricted meter tariffs and heat pumps. We’re flexible and can run sessions for multiple organisations online or deliver tailored in-house events to address specific advice that you’d like covered.
Go to workshops and training
Refer people through our secure portal
Referring people you support to Home Energy Scotland through our secure online portal gives them access to impartial energy advice to help keep them warm for less, and you can view updates on the outcomes of any referrals that you make.
Go to partner with us
Community buildings
Get funding, advice and support to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions of your community building by installing renewable technologies such as a heat pump, and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with battery storage, along with energy efficiency measures. Through the Community and Renewables Energy Scheme (CARES), Local Energy Scotland offers a range of financial support and advice to community groups to get local energy projects up and running.
Go to Local Energy Scotland
Find the funding you need
There are a range of funding schemes open to community-led projects. Have a look at the funds listed below to see if any of them are suitable. If you aren't sure where to look or want to speak to someone about your ideas, get in touch with our communities officer to discuss your project and funding options, and we’ll put you in touch with the right people - either one of our advice centres or a partner organisation.
Funding awards are usually made on a round-by-round basis, with specific deadlines and availability at different times of year. The funds below are an example of what’s currently available but this can change so check back regularly to see what’s on offer.
Home Energy Scotland’s Funding Finder
Home Energy Scotland's Funding Finder tool helps you to look for grants, discounts, and funding schemes for individuals your area.
Use the Funding Finder
Funding Scotland
Funding Scotland lists funders with a track record of supporting a wide variety of projects in Scotland, and is run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.
Visit Funding Scotland
Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES)
Get funding, advice and support on renewable energy projects from the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), delivered by Local Energy Scotland.
Visit Local Energy Scotland
Business Energy Scotland
Business Energy Scotland offers free and impartial expertise to help small and medium-sized enterprises save energy, carbon and money - including those that are community groups.
Visit Business Energy Scotland
Energy Redress Scheme
Visit the Energy Redress Scheme website to find out about funding for a range of projects, from making homes more energy efficient to giving advice that helps people keep on top of their bills.
Visit the Energy Redress Scheme
SP Energy Networks
The SP Energy Networks Transmission Net Zero Fund supports community organisations to develop net zero plans including improving energy efficiency, electric vehicle transport and low and zero emission renewable heating systems.
Explore the Transmission Net Zero Fund
Foundation Scotland
Search a diverse range of funding programmes across Scotland. Some funds listed are available on a Scotland-wide basis, and others are aimed at specific geographical areas or themes.
Search available funding
MCS Charitable Foundation
The MCS Foundation is open to funding range of projects that accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and low carbon technologies.
Explore MCS funding
National Lottery Community Fund
National Lottery Community Led funding offers support to community led activity and wellbeing in Scotland.
Find out about Community Led funding
Royal Countryside Fund
The Royal Countryside Fund offer grants for rural communities across the UK to deliver projects that support their community.
Visit The Royal Countryside Fund
Community Learning Exchange
The Community Learning Exchange offers funding for community organisations to learn from each other’s valuable experiences.
Explore The Community Learning ExchangeLatest community news
Be part of our Community Analytics pilot project
Introducing our new Community Analytics report
We’re thrilled to introduce our new Community Analytics report – a tool designed to help community groups across Scotland take their energy projects to the next level.
Support for your community event
Get in touchWe can add an extra element to your event or gathering. We can provide an advice stand, a speaker or an energy advice surgery to help attendees save energy and money. We’re also happy to get involved with online events and webinars.
Keep up to date
Sign up to newsletterSubscribe to our quarterly partnerships newsletter for the latest updates, events, and funding information.