Apply Now for £425K Sustainability Funding

The Crown Estate Scotland’s Sustainable Communities Fund is once again open for its fifth round of applications, offering a total of £425,000 to support projects and ideas that benefit the environment and local communities. Since its inception in 2020, this fund has already provided over £1.4 million in valuable support to people across the country, with a focus on 12 affordable housing projects that have received more than £400,000 in funding.

This Fund comprises two grant programmes:

• Community Capacity Grants – These grants are available to all communities located within five miles of Scotland’s coastline or within one of Crown Estate Scotland’s four rural estates. The aim is to provide early-stage financial support for community projects that contribute to local regeneration and sustainable development. Grants are available in the range of £20,000 to £50,000, with a total of £300,000 being allocated in this year’s programme.
• Environment Grants – These grants are specifically for Crown Estate Scotland tenants and offer funding between £5,000 and £20,000 for projects that can deliver tangible environmental benefits within 18 months of receiving the award. A total of £125,000 is available for these grants this year.

Due to the significant positive impact witnessed in communities across the country, the funding level for the Crown Estate Scotland’s Sustainable Communities Fund has been increased in recent years, with an additional £100,000 being made available.

Various projects and initiatives have already benefited from this fund, such as:

• Uig Development Trust, Highland – Establishment of affordable, energy-efficient workspaces for local businesses.
• Love Oor Lang Toun, Fife – Community initiative for the regeneration of Kirkcaldy town centre by repurposing vacant shops.
• Iona Energy, Argyll & Bute – Installation of a community-owned ground source heat network to provide sustainable energy.
• Hope Cohousing Community Interest Company, Orkney – Support for affordable rented housing for older people.
• The Three Hares Community Woodland, Midlothian – Creation of a community orchard for biodiversity and educational purposes.
• Ullapool Harbour Trust – Implementation of solar photovoltaic array for CO2 savings.
• Craignish Mooring Association, Argyll – Seagrass planting for marine ecosystem conservation.

One success story from the Sustainable Communities Fund is from Edinbane in Skye, where local residents received £25,000 to rejuvenate a derelict shop into a new community centre, serving both residents and visitors. Alistair Danter from the Edinbane Community Company praised the Fund’s support, saying, “Applying to the Sustainable Communities Fund was straightforward and I would encourage anyone to apply.”

Penny Coles, head of partnerships for Crown Estate Scotland, highlighted the impact of the fund by stating, “Over the past four years, the Sustainable Communities Fund has provided an incredible £1.4m in practical support to diverse projects across Scotland, helping communities achieve their local priorities. We are now seeking new applications to empower more people to bring their ideas to life.”

For those interested in applying for funding, detailed information on the application process and grant allocation can be found here. The deadline for applications is Monday 23 October.