In 2020 we launched the Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF), to support local regeneration and sustainable development. To date, we have provided a total of £1.7m to successful applicants. The fund is split into two separate grant streams:
- Community Capacity Grants
- Environment Grants
More detailed information on each grant stream is available below:
What is it?
It's a fund supporting two grant programmes:
- Community Capacity Grants, which provide early-stage financial support for grass root enterprise projects in communities living in and around the Scottish Crown Estate.
- Environment Grants, which provide funding to Crown Estate Scotland tenants only, for projects which can deliver demonstrable environmental benefits within 18 months of award of funds
Why is it important?
Many local communities across Scotland have ideas which if realised, could make a significant difference to their areas, helping to create great places to live, work and visit.
But without access to initial funding, it can be hard to turn great ideas into real projects - and as a result, the benefits might never materialise.
By providing funds to help get projects moving, the Sustainable Communities Fund allows communities living in and around the Scottish Crown Estate to get their ideas 'off the ground' and start delivering economic, social or environmental benefits in their local area.
Community Capacity Grants
Awards have now been made for this year. Applications will reopen later in 2025.
This programme provides early stage financial support for grass root enterprise projects in communities living in and around the Scottish Crown Estate. The funding supports community enterprise projects which will regenerate and lead to sustainable development, and, ultimately, help create great places to live, work and visit.
Since 2020, more than £1.2m in funding has been made available.
To find out more about the impact of our previous Community Capacity Grants, visit this Story Map.
Environment Grants
Awards have now been made for this year. Applications will reopen later in 2025.
This programme provides funding to Crown Estate Scotland tenants for projects which can deliver demonstrable environmental benefits within 18 months of award of funds.
We encourage applications that can demonstrate climate change improvement benefits. For example, renewable energy installations, green travel initiatives, and natural climate solutions e.g. native tree planting, and projects enabling a circular economy approach.
Typical projects could include:
- Biodiversity projects to restore and regenerate the local environment, e.g. the removal of invasive non-native species
- Providing natural climate solutions e.g. tree planting along riverbanks and restoring watercourses
- Facilitating a change to greener ways of operating e.g. measures to support recycling or waste reduction; enabling green travel; and activities that reduce flood risk, pollution, or carbon emissions
Since 2020, £550,000 of funding has been made available.
To find out more about the impact of our previous Environment Grants, visit this Story Map.