Renewable Energy Fund Grants

Community Councils across South Lanarkshire have each been given £5000 annually from the South Lanarkshire Renewable Energy Fund to provide Micro grants to support local communities. And as well as these 21 community councils, a further six are also providing Micro grants from the Clyde windfarm fund.

Community Councils can award grants of up to £500 to support local constituted and non-constituted groups and where appropriate individuals. Each Community Council can also add conditions and limit grants as they deem most appropriate for their communities. Grant applications should be returned to the relevant Community Council (listed below). 

Key information

What are micro grants?
Micro grants are intended to make the Renewable Energy Fund available to individuals and small local groups who need small amounts to pursue their objectives. The process of applying for and receiving a micro grant is intended to be relatively quick and light touch, and will be delivered by your local community council or other local community organisation.

How much can I apply for using this application form?
Up to a maximum of £500.

Which areas can benefit from the micro grant?
The Community Council areas listed - this list will be continually updated.

How do I apply for a micro grant?
Individuals and groups seeking a micro grant should complete the short application form available from this web site or your relevant community council or community organisation. Completed application forms should be sent directly to your Community Council or community organisation.

When can I apply?
There is no closing date for applications for micro grants and applications can be accepted at any time until the annual sum of £5000 has been awarded.

When are decisions made?
The Community Council or community organisation will inform you by letter of the outcome of your application as soon as possible. The timescale will depend on when meetings are held. Please note that applications submitted immediately before a meeting may not be considered until the following meeting.

Who can apply?
Applications for micro grants can be accepted from groups – including those who don’t have a written constitution or set of rules – and individuals. Individuals must be living in  the eligible Community Council areas to which they apply.

What can micro grants be used for?
Community-focussed or charitable activities which:

• enhance quality of life for local residents
• contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; and/or
• promote community spirit and encourage community activity

Are there any activities you’re unable to support?

• Projects which do not benefit people living within the relevant community council areas
• The advancement of religion or politics (including requests to support the core activities of religious or political groups)
• The purchase of second hand vehicles
• 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)
• Payments towards areas generally understood to be the exclusive responsibility of statutory authorities
• Applications that are for the sole benefit to flora and fauna. Applicants are invited to demonstrate the direct benefit to the local community and/or service users in cases where the grant application is concerned with flora and fauna
• Anti-wind farm/renewable energy activities

Additional information

• You may only apply for one micro grant at a time
• If your application is successful, you will not be able to reapply for another micro grant for 12 months has elapsed, although in exceptional circumstances the community council may decide to waive this
• If your application is unsuccessful, you may reapply immediately
• Any micro grant received must be spent within one year of being awarded
• Applying for, or holding, a grant from the Micro Grants Scheme does not prevent constituted, not for profit groups and organisations from applying for a grant from any other grant-making programme operated through the Renewable Energy Fund or Clyde Wind Farm Community Fund provided that the application is not to support the same project or activity
• Eligible organisations with larger scale projects may be able to access other funds including the Renewable Energy Fund

Community Councils

(delivering Micro Grants using Renewable Energy funds)

Blackmount
Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill and Boghead
Blantyre
Bothwell
Cambuslang
Carluke
Carstairs
Coalburn
East Mains
Halfway 
Jackton and Thorntonhall
Lesmahagow
Pettinain
Rigside and Douglas Water
Sandford and upper Avondale
St Leonards East Kilbride
Stonehouse
Strathaven and Glassford
Tarbrax
The Royal Burgh of Lanark
Uddingston
Westwood East Kilbride  

(delivering Micro Grants using Clyde Windfarm funds)

Biggar
Duneaton
Crawford and Elvanfoot 
Leadhills
Quothquan and Thankerton
Symington

Information on Community Councils

For more information please email FundingAndDevelopment@southlanarkshire.gov.uk