GrantRadar

South Lanarkshire Council

Renewable Energy Fund (South Lanarkshire)

South Lanarkshire Council's Renewable Energy Fund pools community benefit from 44 wind farms to fund capital and revenue projects within 10km of a participating development. Small grants under £20,000 can cover up to 100% of eligible costs and are decided on a rolling basis within about four weeks; main grants over £20,000 usually cover up to 75% (100% in some higher-funded areas) and are decided quarterly by committee. Projects must support one of four themes: stronger, prosperous, healthy and active, or sustainable environmental communities.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Amount not specified
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Public organisations and agencies; partnerships, trusts and co-operatives; community groups and associations; social enterprises; and not-for-profit organisations located within, or providing clear benefits to communities within, 10km of a participating renewable energy development in South Lanarkshire
  • Applicants from outside the eligible area may be considered if the people benefiting live within it and there is evidence of community support
  • Projects must show clear community benefit and value for money, how local people have been involved, and support local community action plans where they exist

What it funds

Capital projects that create, improve or maintain community assets, such as:

  • Buildings
  • Land
  • Community facilities
  • One-off improvement projects
  • Revenue projects with ongoing costs that deliver community benefits, including:
  • Staff costs
  • Heating and lighting
  • Administration costs
  • Consumables
  • Small equipment

projects must support at least one theme (Stronger Communities, Prosperous Communities, Healthy and Active Communities, Sustainable Environmental Communities). Funding may be available for up to three years; projects need a clear purpose, outcomes and an exit plan.

priority goes to transport and connectivity, community and recreation facilities, rural business growth, jobs, skills and training, net-zero and environmental projects, rural poverty and wellbeing, and tourism and visitor facilities. Kit and clothing for clubs, unlinked bus hire or trips, and Christmas lighting with no carbon saving may not be funded or may need more match funding.

What it will not fund

  • Projects that do not provide equal access and opportunities
  • Projects that do not benefit communities within 10km of a participating wind farm
  • Political activities or the promotion of religion
  • Repayment of loans or debts
  • Costs that have already been incurred
  • Activities that take place before a funding decision has been made
  • Routine operating costs that are not linked to a specific project
  • Funding for individual businesses

How to apply

  1. Check the wind farm eligibility maps to see if your project is in an eligible area
  2. Submit an expression of interest outlining your organisation, project idea and estimated costs (slccommunitybenefitfunds.co.uk)
  3. Complete the full application if invited
  4. Small grants (under £20,000): apply at any time; decision aimed within four weeks of a complete application
  5. Main grants (over £20,000): submit by a quarterly deadline - 8 December 2026 for the 2 February 2027 committee

if funding a post, provide a job description. Micro grants of up to £500 are run separately by community councils.

Have ready

Job description, if funding is requested for a post

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