What help is available for Community Groups?
Community groups are an integral part of life in Shetland.
If you're part of a community group looking to undertake works to improve energy efficiency in a building or wanting to access funding for activities around climate change, finding the time or support for applications can be difficult. There is help available however.
The Council's own Community Work team can help in a lot of different areas and are there to support community groups.
The Shetland Community Benefit Fund offers all the local communities of Shetland to benefit from commercial renewable energy developments in the islands.
If your group is looking to work on something specifically related to climate change, then the North Highlands and Islands Climate Hub are a great resource to call upon. Based in Thurso they cover Shetland and Orkney and can help with advice, funding applications, and support a network of climate positive groups.
Community Energy Scotland provide ongoing practical and technical support for community project development, as well as allow groups networking opportunities with one another and policy makers.
Local Energy Scotland manage CARES (Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme), whose goal is that communities across Scotland are engaging, participating and benefiting in the energy transition to net-zero.
Business Gateway can also support community groups, depending on their idea.
Scottish Enterprise has a database of funding opportunities which can be filtered so you can see what funding is available for different projects.