Grant Directories

The Workplace Charging Scheme enables UK businesses, charities and public sector organisations to request vouchers towards the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge-points on their premises. Installation must be completed and the voucher claimed within six months of the voucher’s issue date. The scheme is run by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by the National Lottery to support local communities. The Climate Action Fund - Energy and Climate, provides funding of between £500,000 and £1.5 million over two to five for projects that encourage communities to use energy in an environmentally friendly way.

Small and Medium Sized Businesses can apply for loans up to £100,000 to help you pay for energy and carbon-saving upgrades in their business.  Businesses  could also receive a cashback grant of up to £30,000.

The Clean Growth Fund (CGF) invests in technology businesses that are driving the transition to net zero through developing disruptive products and services. The clean growth sector includes innovations that can improve the resource efficiency of industry and commerce, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, pollution or other adverse environmental impacts and also deliver substantial financial returns.  CGF will invest across the technology spectrum, including hardware, software, process systems, materials, deep tech and business model innovations, capable of driving real and rapid change on a global scale.

The MCS Charitable Foundation funds a range of projects that accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and low carbon technologies. Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 are available to public sector organisations, charities and not-for-profit organisations for projects that have a UK-wide impact, either through having a national reach or through developing/demonstrating an innovative approach that could be replicated, adapted or scaled up. Projects should fall under the following themes: education, skills and CPD; public awareness/information and consumer confidence; zero carbon planning; or local zero carbon delivery initiatives. Grants of up to £100,000 will be considered in exceptional cases. Applicants should initially submit an expression of interest

The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) is designed to help businesses with high energy use, such as energy intensive industries, to cut their energy bills and carbon emissions through investing in energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies.  

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Vattenfall Unlock Our Future Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £30,000 to support charitable activity that addresses at least three of the following criteria: contribute to a climate smarter world with sustainability at its core; invest in community facilities and activities that are fit for the future and are environmentally sustainable, especially community spaces and transport; support creative solutions; ensure a legacy and lasting impact, which clearly brings benefit to the local community.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the RWE Rosehall Wind Farm Community Fund (Highlands) the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to invest in activities and initiatives that help build a vibrant local economy, support and encourage thriving communities and make the area an attractive place to live, work and visit for people of all ages. 

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the RWE Camster Wind Farm Community Fund (Highlands) the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to support charitable activities or services of benefit to those living in the following Community Council areas in Caithness: Latheron, Lybster and Clyth; Watten; and Tannach and District.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the NorthConnect Legacy Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £1,500 and aims to:  provide sustainable support to the communities and stakeholders living, working and playing in the vicinity of the NorthConnect infrastructure including: the converter station, HVAC and HVDC cabling both on and offshore; support sustainable energy use and production; support sustainability, energy, environment, health and wellbeing education; increase participation in and access to contemporary culture, events and recreational activities in an environmentally sensitive manner; preserve and enhance the natural environment for residents and visitors to the area.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Lairg Windfarm Community Fund (Highlands) the foundation provides grants of up to £5,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Hadyard Hill Community Fund (Dailly) the foundation provides grants of up to £10,000 to support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Dailly.
Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Falck Assel Valley Girvan Community Fund (South Ayrshire) the foundation provides grants of up to £5,000 to support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Girvan. Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Carcant Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £1,500 to support charitable activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents.
Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.
Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities. Through the Cairnryan Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £10,000 to support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Cairnryan community. Grants can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.

The People's Postcode Trust is a grant-giving body funded by players of the Peoples Postcode Lottery. The small grants scheme distributes funds to small organisations, community groups and registered charities in Scotland, through grants ranging from £500 - £20,000. The Trust funds projects that: Improve mental wellbeing; Enable community participation in the arts; Support marginalised groups and promote equality; Improve biodiversity & green spaces; Enable participation in physical activity; Respond to the climate emergency & promote sustainability; Increase community access to outdoor space.

Energy Saving Trust (EST) has been appointed by Ofgem to distribute payments from energy companies who may have breached rules. Through the Energy Redress Scheme the Trust provides grants to registered charities to deliver a range of new and innovative energy related projects designed to help vulnerable energy consumers and address households that may have been impacted by COVID-19.

The Pebble Trust is a Scottish charity established in 2014 with a vision to create a more sustainable, equal and low-carbon society. Grants of up to £10,000 are available to charities, community groups, businesses and individuals with projects that promote more sustainable lifestyles; in particular through environmental protection or improvement; community developmenand self-reliance; and through the advancement of education and science, in particular carrying out research and education relating to the technical and social aspects of sustainable lifestyles.

The Communities And Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is the Scottish Government's initiative for supporting community renewable installations. CARES offer grants and loans for community owned projects: Start-up grants offer seed corn funding towards group establishment, feasibility studies, consultation and capacity building; Pre-Planning Loans provide support to take forward plans for renewable energy generation schemes for communities and rural businesses and the Infrastructure and Innovation Fund offers grants for communities to investigate and develop projects that link local energy generation with local energy use. All projects are required to demonstrate a level of community benefit to the local area. CARES is managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by an independent Scottish charity, Local Energy Scotland, that helps community groups such as social enterprises and housing associations to develop sustainable energy projects.

The Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) is a Scottish Government programme, managed and developed by Keep Scotland Beautiful. Grants of up to £150,000 are available through the Climate Challenge Fund for community-led organisations to run one-year projects that reduce local carbon emissions, improve their local areas and help them adapt to the impacts of climate change. The CCF has supported projects involving energy efficiency improvements to community owned buildings, energy efficiency advice, lower carbon travel options, community growing initiatives and schemes to tackle waste. Feasibility studies and community consultations directly related to the Fund outcomes are also eligible for funding.

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a long-term financial support programme for renewable heat, offering homeowners payments to offset the cost of installing low carbon systems in their properties. The scheme is open to everyone - home owners, social and private landlords, and people who build their own homes. It is available to households both on and off the gas grid. The technologies currently covered by the scheme are Biomass heating systems; Ground or water source heat pumps; Air to water heat pumps; and Solar thermal panels Homeowners in England, Scotland and Wales can receive quarterly payments over a seven year period to fund the purchase and installation costs of a renewable heat source.

The Resource Efficient Scotland SME loan scheme offers interest free loans of between £1,000 and £100,000 to eligible businesses, private sector landlords, not-for-profit organisations and charities, to help them to save businesses money while reducing their carbon emissions. The loans can be used to help fund a range of carbon reducing measures such as upgraded lighting, improved insulation, biomass boiler installation, the purchase of more energy-efficient equipment and projects to reduce the use of water and other raw materials. 

The Northern Periphery Programme 2014-20  aims to help peripheral and remote communities on the northern margins of Europe to develop their economic, social and environmental potential.  During the period 2014-2020, the Programme will allocate approximately €56 million of ERDF to Projects and will focus on using innovation to maintain and develop robust and competitive communities;  promoting entrepreneurship to realise the potential of the programme area's competitive advantage;  fostering energy-secure communities through promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency; and protecting, promoting and developing cultural and natural heritage.

SME loans of up to £20,000 are available to help businesses to reduce their carbon emissions, save money and increase their competitiveness. Funded by the Scottish Government, the scheme aims to support businesses that are looking to reduce costs through improved energy, material resource and water efficiency. Resource Efficient Scotland provides advice and support to prospective applicants. The Energy Saving Trust administers the scheme and is responsible for the assessment and processing of applications. Last year the top seven projects receiving a loan were: Installation of a new biomass boiler; upgrading to energy efficient lighting; upgrading to energy efficient heating; insulation; installation of solar pv; upgrading glazing; voltage optimisation.

Naturesave Limited is an ethical insurance company providing funding to support environmental and conservationist projects. Financial assistance is available in the form of start up finance to new organisations which seeks to promote greater awareness of sustainable development or for existing companies and charities which are seeking funding for a specific project. The Trust has funded hundreds of projects since it's inception, ranging from installation of a wind turbines to the conservation of water voles in Dorset. The Trust prefers to provide start-up capital to small projects to get them going, rather than to contribute to the general administration costs of a larger charity or company.

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy's mission is to encourage the greater use of local sustainable energy to address climate change, alleviate poverty and improve quality of life worldwide. Award categories vary from year to year. Previous categories have included: Energy business award - for the company that has made local renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services more accessible. Local authority award - for councils that have undertaken effective initiatives and programmes to improve energy efficiency, increased the supply of local renewable energy (heat and electricity), and also promoted the wider use of sustainable energy through local planning and policies. And the Charity award - open to not-for-profit organisations and charities that have carried out local projects to increase energy efficiency and cut energy consumption.