Regional Community Benefit Fund

The Regional Fund backs projects that:

• Create long‑term impact
• Benefit more than one community, or can be replicated elsewhere
• Strengthen communities socially, culturally and economically

Projects must support at least one of the following themes, shaped by feedback from our 2023 community consultation:

1. People – skills and employability

These projects should have a link to qualifications and employment outcomes, either directly or through early intervention programmes to overcome barriers to these outcomes. We welcome applications from projects engaging with beneficiaries from secondary school age and upwards. All applications should also take inclusion into consideration, where possible, engaging with hard-to-reach groups.

2. Place – community and culture

‘Place’ is about connecting individuals and communities to the north of Scotland. This can be through a physical place that represents the area, such as a heritage site or an area of environmental significance, or through wider cultural identity, such as music or language. Projects must have a wider benefit than one local area. 

3. Alleviating fuel poverty

Fuel poverty is a complex issue that is influenced by many factors, including income, energy prices and housing conditions. Funding is available for projects that aim to influence change to individuals and communities facing, or at risk of, fuel poverty.  

All applications should focus on engaging and building capacity with communities, increasing knowledge and capability to be able to access relevant support. Applications should focus on moving beyond traditional advice services, looking at developing new approaches linked to research and collaboration. In addition, applications may wish to focus on: 

• Energy Efficiency – Taking a collaborative approach to plan and implement energy efficiency retrofitting. 
• Developing skills, knowledge or innovation that can be replicated to reduce fuel poverty. 

Applications will not be considered if they fall under the following categories: 

• The advancement of religion or politics (including requests to support the core activities of religious or political groups) 

• Direct costs of energy consumption 

• The repayment of loans or payment of debts 

• Trips abroad 

• Costs already incurred or activities which will take place before a funding decision has been made (retrospective funding) 

• Payments towards areas generally understood to be the primary responsibility of a statutory authority 

Applications will be assessed based on how well they fit with the fund themes or people, place and alleviating fuel poverty. In addition, they will be assessed based on their perceived transformational impact. Projects should demonstrate this in the following ways:  

1. Value for Money: Evidence that the project has a high impact for the amount invested.  

Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed activities will add value and impact beyond what is currently funded / services that already exist. This means:  

• Building on existing work – Outlining how the proposed project enhances, complements, or expands current initiatives or services. This includes evidencing that this work does not duplicate existing projects but instead contributes towards the overall goals of your sector or community.  

• Addressing gaps – Identify any unmet needs or areas not covered by existing funding and explain how your project will fill these gaps.  

• Additional outcomes – Demonstrate how the funding will lead to new or improved outcomes that would not be possible without this funding.  

Where a project is already in existence, a business case should be provided as to why this funding is necessary, including any lessons learned to date, and information on how the project is being adapted moving forward.  

2. Community Involvement: Engaging with the Community  

Evidence that the community/communities and relevant stakeholders have been engaged in the development and implementation of the project. This may be in the form of surveys, service user involvement, community consultations, open days, letters of support or volunteering opportunities.  

3. Partnership working: Working together to achieve more  

Projects that involve strategic partnerships and collaboration between two or more organisations are strongly encouraged. These partnerships should be appropriately evidenced within the application (for example, including a plan which outlines the roles of each partner, or a signed partnership agreement).   

4. Financial sustainability: Continuation beyond the funding period  

Applications must include a viable plan for the long-term financial sustainability of the project or outline a defined end point. This means:  

• Financial sustainability plan – If the project is intended to continue beyond the funding period, applicants must describe how it will be maintained (financially, operationally and strategically) after the funding period ends.  

• Defined end point – If the project is time-limited, applicants must clearly state the intended outcomes and how the project will be brought to a successful and responsible close.  

• Legacy consideration – Whether ongoing or time-limited, projects should consider their long-term impact, including how learning, resources, or benefits will be sustained or shared. 
  

 5. Evidence of Need: Other funding sources 

Demonstration of a real financial need for the application and evidence that the applicant has leveraged other sources of external funding. 

Whilst match funding is not a requirement, having other funding sources in place can provide supporting evidence of the viability of a project. 

6. UN Sustainable Development Goals 

All projects must align with a minimum of one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and be able to assess the project against these goals. Successful applicants will be asked to measure the impact of the project against these goals and provide reporting on this on an annual basis. 

Applicants must be a legally constituted community group, a non-profit organisation, or a registered charity. Applications will only be considered if they benefit communities within the SSEN Transmission network area, fall under the identified themes, and fit the fund assessment criteria.  

Applications will not be accepted from statutory bodies (e.g. local authorities), however, these organisations are able to participate as a partner, with another organisation taking on the role of applicant. We will accept applications from universities and colleges.

You can apply for a minimum of £40,000 and maximum of £500,000 for your project. 

We can 100% fund projects or we can part fund along with other funders. 

Our fund can be used as one of several funding sources including other SSE group community benefit funds.

Funding is available for both revenue and capital costs. Where necessary, full cost recovery is also available, meaning that you are able to apply for all your organisation’s costs, including the direct costs of your project and  associated overheads  

SSEN Transmission are a Real Living Wage funder, meaning that any salary costs applied for must be the Real Living Wage as a minimum. If you are considering applying for multi-year funding, please ensure that any uplifts in salary costs, due to inflation, are taken into account. 

To support robust financial planning, applicants are encouraged to include a contingency within their overall project costs. Any use of contingency should be clearly justified and evidenced. 

This fund is not currently accepting applications.

When the fund reopens, applications will be accepted through an online portal from this page.

It is important for your organisation to have a written constitution as this outlines the purpose, rules and regulations of the organisation. If you need support in writing a constitution or setting up your group, there is advice available through the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and through your local Third Sector Interface.

SCVO advice and support

Find your local Third Sector Interface

The application process for funding takes place through an online portal. 

To prepare for your application, you can download the sample application form, which includes all of the questions you will be asked during the online application process, and guidance on how to answer them. 

Download the sample application form

You will also be asked to upload the following documents as part of your online application:

Required documents:

• A signed copy of your organisation’s constitution
•  Your organisation’s latest annual accounts (independently verified)
• A bank statement belonging to your organisation from within the last 3 months
• Your Project Budget Plan
• Detailed cost breakdown of the entire project, specifying which elements you are seeking funding for from this fund. Where possible, include quotes or supporting evidence.

Optional documents/if applicable:

• A copy of your organisation's latest AGM minutues
• Your Business Plan (or similar document which provides context on the project and organisational priorities, explaining how you will achieve them)
• Three quotes for relevant pieces of work
• Your organisation’s Child Protection/Vulnerable Adult Policy
• Letters of Support
• Any other documents you believe would support your application

Funding decisions are made by an independent panel. The regional panel is made up of four independent panellists and one SSEN Transmission representative.

Panellists are selected through an open recruitment process, and all have a record in supporting communities and local people.

The Chair of the regional panel is Peter Peacock, former Scottish Government Minister and Convenor of Highland Council. The remaining panel members are: 

• Louisa Macdonell (Vice Chair) 
• Lucy Conway 
• Nicholas Gubbins 
• Christianna Logan (SSEN Transmission representative) 

Information about the funding we have awarded to date can be found in the past funding awards section on this page, and in our annual reporting. 

You can also explore our case studies page to learn more about projects that have received community benefit funding. 

UHI Inverness – £352,000 
The creation of a state-of-the-art Sustainable Construction Centre in Inverness, delivering high-quality training to address critical skills shortages across the Highlands and support the region’s transition to net-zero. 

North East Scotland College – £150,000 
Investment in essential equipment for Aberdeen’s new Energy Transition Skills Hub — the first dedicated educational facility in Scotland designed to meet the growing demand for energy transition training. 

Growing2gether – £55,591 
A transformative early-intervention programme supporting vulnerable and at-risk young people. Through mentoring and youth-led social action, the initiative aims to enhance mental health, boost educational attainment, and build vital life skills. 

Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust – £361,989 
The construction of a longhouse-style heritage centre, serving as both a learning hub for endangered and traditional skills and a museum celebrating the rich history of the local area. 

Regional Screen Scotland – £350,000 
Funding for a new mobile cinema, bringing high-quality film experiences to over 40 remote communities across the Highlands and Islands. This project aims to foster cultural engagement and combat rural isolation. 

Fèis Rois – £181,638 
The Fèis Rois programme ensures people of all ages can engage with, learn, and enjoy traditional music and the Gaelic language through a diverse range of activities across Ross & Cromarty and Scotland. 

UHI North, West and Hebrides – £110,000 
An innovative project creating digital, place-based heritage experiences to showcase and preserve unrecognised archaeological sites in Barra and Harris. 

Orkney Construction Training Group – £75,471 
A collaborative project developing a modular manufacturing toolkit and two demonstrator modules, equipping community organisations with the resources to help address the rural housing crisis. 

THAW Orkney – £295,322 
Development of a flexible whole-house retrofit pathway, providing property upgrades to fuel-poor households across a subset of Orkney’s outer isles, to help improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. 

North East Scotland Retrofit Hub – £88,000 
Strengthening retrofitting capacity in the North East of Scotland by training construction professionals, raising community awareness, and providing in-depth retrofit assessments to improve energy efficiency in homes. 

Tighean Innse Gall - £393,883

Theme: Fuel Poverty

To deliver a community-led project reducing fuel poverty by developing housing archetypes and affordable decarbonisation pathways, empowering Outer Hebrides homes with practical, tailored energy efficiency solutions.

Changeworks - £169,666

Theme: Fuel Poverty

To deliver a programme for alleviating fuel poverty for park home residents through engagement, capacity-building and practical, scalable support, creating lasting impact for an overlooked community. 

Aberdeen Cyrenians - £149,362

Theme: People

To establish NorthBridge, a welcoming collaboration hub where individuals facing redundancy find structure, community, and tailored support for jobs, skills, entrepreneurial opportunities and wellbeing during transition.

Farmer Jones Academy c.i.c trading as For You Training - £149,180

Theme: People

To support a Transformational Community Innovation Campus for education and tourism, creating sustainable communities for Tain and the Scottish Highlands. 

Growing2gether - £199,379

Theme: People

To expand Growing2gether in Partnership: building the mental health/life skills/qualifications of disadvantaged young people to create leaders who contribute positively to communities. 

Fisheries Management Scotland - £149,949

Theme: People

To deliver the ‘Working with Rivers’ project which will enable seven rivers and fisheries trusts to run paid training placements. The trainees will gain a range of new nature-based skills, whilst contributing to river restoration projects that will benefit nature and rural communities. 

Rock Trust - £201,217

Theme: People

To establish Future Builders Plus: A new Youth Housing Hub in Perth providing specialist employability, housing and wellbeing support for young people facing homelessness. 

Helm Training - £49,934

Theme: People

To deliver the ‘Anchors Up’ programme which supports disadvantaged Dundee youth through a clear journey: one-to-one guidance, group learning, and progression into employability or vocational training, building confidence and brighter futures. 

Enable Scotland (Leading the Way) - £226,993

Theme: People

To deliver the ‘One Digital’ programme which provides accessible, accredited digital skills training for disabled people, tackling digital exclusion and supporting individuals to participate, build confidence and progress towards employment. 

New Start Highland - £95,327

Theme: People

To support the Highland Hospitality & Cookery School which will equip disadvantaged and excluded people with skills, training and qualifications for employment in the Highland hospitality sector. 

Eden Court Highlands - £65,742

Theme: Place

To deliver the Film Futures creative programme for young refugees and asylum seekers aged 16-24 in the Highlands to build community connections and increase employability skills. 

Dundee Industrial Heritage SCIO - £40,000

Theme: Place

To support a project to transform Discovery Point, home of the Dundee-built Royal Research Ship Discovery, for the next generation of learners, visitors, and communities. 

Islands Book Trust - £141,000

Theme: Place

To establish a shared digital hub that builds skills, preserves island heritage, supports & strengthens small volunteer-led heritage groups and expands online access and book sales.

Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh - £340,895

Theme: Place

To redevelop the former Eriskay school, a historic building steeped in our heritage and culture, into a heritage centre and sustainable community hub, linking heritage, training, renewable-energy awareness, and wellbeing programmes for communities across Uist and Barra and the Outer Hebrides.