Strategic Investment Fund
Apply for funding for large-scale, strategic initiatives in the north of Scotland
Value: £10 million funding available over the next two years
Fund status: Applications opening on 17 September 2026
About the Strategic Investment Fund
We want communities connected to our transmission network to share in the benefits of the clean energy transition.
The Strategic Investment Fund has been developed in response to extensive engagement with communities, stakeholders and regional partners across our network area. Through this consultation, we heard a clear desire for investment that goes beyond supporting individual projects and instead tackles some of the most significant social and economic challenges facing communities today.
Designed to complement and enhance our existing regional funding programmes, the Strategic Investment Fund will focus on ambitious, large-scale initiatives capable of delivering transformational change across multiple communities. We are seeking bold ideas, strong partnerships and innovative approaches that can create lasting impact, unlock new opportunities and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
This fund represents a significant long-term investment in communities and an opportunity to support projects that can fundamentally change lives, strengthen local resilience and help communities thrive in the transition to a low-carbon future.
What the Strategic Investment Fund supports
Over the next two years, the Strategic Investment Fund will support ambitious, high-impact projects that address some of the most important challenges facing communities across our network area.
Following consultation with stakeholders and communities, the fund will initially focus on:
- Skills and Employability
- Alleviating Fuel Poverty
We are looking for projects that can demonstrate the potential to deliver meaningful and measurable change at a regional scale. Successful applications will go beyond addressing immediate needs and will create sustainable solutions that generate long-term social and economic benefits.
Priority will be given to projects that are:
- Regional – benefiting multiple communities across a wider geographic area
- Strategic – aligned with regional priorities and addressing significant challenges
- Sustainable – attracting additional investment and delivering enduring benefits
- Collaborative – bringing together organisations, sectors and expertise
- Transformational – creating substantial and lasting positive change for communities
We are particularly interested in proposals that are capable of acting as a catalyst for change, testing new approaches, scaling proven solutions, or addressing challenges at a level that would not otherwise be possible through traditional funding programmes.
Who can apply?
Applications are welcome from:
- Legally constituted community groups
- Registered charities
- Non-profit organisations
- Universities and colleges
Applications directly from statutory bodies, such as local authorities, will not be accepted. However, these organisations may participate as project partners where another eligible organisation acts as the lead applicant.
Projects must benefit communities located within the SSEN Transmission network area.
Funding can support both capital and revenue costs.
How much funding is available?
The Strategic Investment Fund is intended to support a small number of exceptional projects with the scale and ambition to deliver transformational outcomes across our network area.
£10 million of funding will be avaiable over the next two years, with £5 million of funding available in each funding round.
Applications are expected to range from £1 million to £5 million, with funding targeted towards initiatives that can demonstrate a compelling vision, strong partnership working and the potential to deliver significant, measurable and lasting impact for communities.
How are funding decisions made?
Funding decisions are made by an independent panel comprising four independent members and one SSEN Transmission representative.
Chair: Peter Peacock, former Scottish Government Minister and former Convenor of Highland Council
Panel Members:
- Louisa Macdonell (Vice Chair)
- Lucy Conway
- Nicholas Gubbins
- Christianna Logan (SSEN Transmission Representative)
How do I apply?
Further details about the Strategic Investment Fund will be available shortly. The process will be two-stage involving an initial Note of Interest, followed by submission of a business case from shortlisted projects.
If you are interested in applying, please contact community.benefit@sse.com to register your interest. We will notify you when the fund opens for applications on 17 September 2026.
