Learn how to plan, fund, and deliver renewable energy projects to benefit your community

This event is organised by Community Energy Scotland and WLCAN to help community organisations to take the next step toward energy-efficient, low-carbon community spaces. It takes place at West Lothian College’s Skills Centre for Sustainable Living, also known as the Eco House. This training facility helps to train builders in sustainable construction skills and the event will include a tour of the house.

This free workshop is for community leaders and active members either curious or already exploring opportunities to install measures such as heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage and wind turbines. If your community group owns or has a long-lease on the building you use, this event is for you.

No prior knowledge is required – just bring your interest in learning about the possibilities, and it’s a bonus if you have any ideas already for improving your community’s energy future.

Lunch will be provided, and expenses for travel or childcare can be provided if that would otherwise be a barrier to your attendance

What To Expect

• An introduction to the opportunities of community energy

• Case studies of successful projects by communities in Scotland

• A step-by-step guide to planning, funding, and delivering your community group’s project

• Introduction to support available to help you progress

• An opportunity to talk through your ideas, opportunities and challenges

You’ll leave with better knowledge and tools to take the next steps toward making your community building more energy-efficient and financially sustainable, and connections for developing your ideas.

Who Should Attend

• Representatives from community groups that own or long-term lease the buildings they use

• Community leaders or active group members looking to reduce energy bills and improve comfort in a community spaces

• Those interested or ready to take practical action to serve their community and strengthen their building’s sustainability for now and in the future

By the end of the session, you’ll understand what makes a strong CARES application to access Scottish Government funding, what typical community-led decarbonisation projects look like in practice, and where to start with costs, energy assessments and next steps.

Hosted by:

Community Energy Scotland and West Lothian Climate Action Network in collaboration with Local Energy Scotland, working in partnership to promote uptake of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES).

HOW TO REGISTER:

Scan the QR code on the graphic or click this link to Eventbrite.

Travel to West Lothian College: Please note parking is very limited at the college and visitors are encouraged to find parking in the nearby multi-storey retail centre car parks.  Visit Google maps.