Community action for climate change

As part of its commitment to Scotland's Climate Change Declaration the council is committed to working in partnership with Scottish Government and local communities to tackle climate change. We are working hard to reduce waste and promote sustainable choices to achieve a better quality of life.

For more information on what you can do as an individual to reduce your carbon emissions and save energy see the Climate Change section of the council's website.

West Lothian Climate Action Network Hub

West Lothian Climate Action Network Hub (WLCAN Hub) aims to support community led climate action in West Lothian in all the stages it takes to design, develop and deliver a project. The Hub can support existing community groups or help communities to form new groups. Connecting communities through new and existing networks and signposting to further support as needed. You can get involved with WLCAN and sign up to the newsletter at: wlcan.scot.

Community Led Local Development fund (RCLLD)

The West Lothian Rural, Community Led Local Development fund (RCLLD) is inviting Expression of Interest for the 2024/25 grant programme.

The aim of the RCLLD Fund is to  deliver community-based activity to meet one or more of the Scottish Government priorities.  This funding is for projects that run until end of February 2025 at the latest.

Priorities for Funding:

You may apply for funds for project-based activity and must demonstrate that it advances inclusion, equality and diversity. Your project must also align with the Scottish Government's current spending priorities which are;

• Eradicating child poverty
• Growing the economy
• Tackling the climate emergency
• Improving public services

West Lothian Development Trust

The West Lothian Development Trust fund is money received from windfarm developments in West Lothian. The West Lothian Development Trust was set up to administer and manage the funds. The trust comprises of members from the communities within 10km of the developments, West Lothian Council and the windfarm developers. West Lothian Council provides administrative support to the trust. More information can be found at the West Lothian Development Trust section of the council's website. 

Local Energy Scotland

Local Energy Scotland (opens new window) administer and manage the Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). They help communities and rural businesses with:

• Free advice and support to develop renewable energy schemes or to secure and manage income from renewables,
• Advice on funding streams,
• Support to access CARES (development and pre-planning loans),
• Support to access the Renewable Energy Investment Fund (post-consent loans).

Community and Renewable Energy Scheme

CARES has been established by the Scottish Government to encourage local and community ownership of renewable energy across Scotland and to help maximise the benefits to communities of renewable energy systems - whether commercial or community-owned.

CARES aims to accelerate progress towards the Scottish Government's target of 2GW of locally owned energy by 2030, and to assist with delivering the Scottish Government's Energy Strategy (opens new window) through the provision of loan finance, grant funding and specialist advice.

The Climate Action Fund - Our Shared Future 

The National Lottery Community Fund has opened Climate Action Fund - Our Shared Future to help support communities tackle climate change and to involve more people in climate action. There is £20 million available with the minimum you can apply for being £500,000.

The fund will support formal partnership projects that reach more people by either:

• linking climate action to the everyday lives and interests of local communities
• influencing communities at a regional or national level.

The National Lottery Community Fund plans to close to applications in early 2025 and will announce a final deadline nearer the time.

Funding available to decarbonise community buildings

New funding is now available from CARES. The Let's Do Net Zero Community Buildings Fund aims to support community organisations to reduce their buildings' energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Funding is available for many types of community buildings, including:

• Community cafes
• Community hubs 
• Faith buildings 
• Public halls
• Community halls and centres

Grant funding is available for up to 80% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of £80,000.

Home Energy Scotland

The Home Energy Scotland programme, delivered by the Energy Saving Trust provides information, advice and support for communities and organisations that want to reduce energy, cut costs and lower their carbon footprint. For more information, visit Home Energy Scotland - Funding (opens new window).