The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is here to support communities to engage with, participate in, and benefit from the energy transition to net zero.
Key Criteria
The fund helps community organisations to develop their own renewable energy projects, including wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. It can help community organisations with grant funding, advice, and loan funding to progress your renewable energy projects. Support can be at the feasibility, development or construction stages of a project.
This funding round will target projects that can deliver a specific, significant milestone by Tuesday 17 March 2026.
The following types of organisations are eligible to apply for support:
- Scottish registered and incorporated non-profit distributing organisations.
- Community groups interested in developing, owning, and operating renewable electricity generation projects.
- Established and constituted community groups, for example Development Trusts and constituted Community Energy/Climate Action Groups.
- Charities including Arms Length External Organisations (ALEOs).
