Renewable Energy Fund Grants

This fund is for capital projects within 10km of a participating renewable energy development. 

There are 39 participating windfarms contributing a total of approximately £900,000 per year for communities in South Lanarkshire. The level of funding available dependents on the proximity to a contributing windfarm and the scale of the windfarm.

Capital projects are usually long-term projects to acquire, develop, improve and/or maintain a capital asset such as land, buildings or roads or one off activities. 

Grants available 

The two options are:  

• Main renewable energy fund - grants over £10,000 up to 50% of total 'eligible' costs.
• Small grant scheme - grants of less than £10,000 and up to 100% of total 'eligible' costs for smaller community-based projects

Eligible projects

Your project must meet at least one of the following Themes:

Theme One: Stronger Communities
Theme Two: Prosperous Communities
Theme Three: Healthy and Active Communities
Theme Four: Sustainable Environmental Communities

See Themes and investment priorities for more information.

Projects should be place and community based and require evidence of community support and consultation and involvement within the application. Project applications generated from Community led action plans will link to Theme One Stronger Communities.

Who can apply?

Application for financial assistance for projects within a 10km radius of participating renewable energy developments will be accepted from:

• public organisations and agencies
• partnerships, trusts, co-operatives and other non-government organisations
• community groups, associations or organisations
• any social enterprise or not for profit organisation located, or offering a service benefiting communities, within a 10km radius of participating developments

Applications will be considered from outside the 10km radius if it can be demonstrated that the people who will benefit live inside the eligible area. 

How to apply

If you are interested and think you have a project that fits with the Renewable Energy Fund submit an expression of interest, providing information on your organization project idea and potential costs:

The Renewable Energy fund cannot fund the following: 

• revenue projects that have recurring costs such as salaries or ongoing utility/maintenance costs
• projects that restrict access from an equal opportunities perspective
• Projects which do not benefit people living within 10km of a contributing windfarm   
• The advancement of religion or politics (including requests to support the core activities of religious or political groups)
• The repayment of loans or payment of debts        
• Costs already incurred or activities which will take place before we have made a decision on an application (retrospective funding). 

Background 

The renewable energy fund is money received from renewable energy developments within the South Lanarkshire boundary. They are to be used to help communities affected by them to improve their quality of life and the local economy. Since 2004, SLC has made grant awards of over £4.7m from the REF