What grant funding is available to community and voluntary groups to improve the energy efficiency of community and church halls.

Grant funding is available to community and voluntary groups to improve the energy efficiency of community and church halls through two main sources.
Firstly, the Communities and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) provides grant funding for energy efficiency measures to churches and community groups if the energy efficiency installation is part of a project involving a renewable energy installation (energy efficiency will not be funded on its own). Under this scheme advice is free and grants of up to £150,000 are available. An independent charity, Community Energy Scotland, manages the scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government. It can be contacted on 01349 860 120 and via its website at www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk.
Secondly, for community backed projects undertaking stand alone energy efficiency measures grant funding can be sought from the Climate Challenge Fund. Subject to meeting the fund criteria the Climate Challenge Fund can support actions to improve the energy efficiency of church and community halls such as draft proofing and the installation of insulation. The full criteria are available at www.infoscotland.org/climatechallengefund.