The next funding round for Local Grants will open on Monday 28th September 2026. Applications will close on Friday 6th November at 5pm. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
We have identified Coalburn and Lesmahagow as the communities to benefit from this fund.
This fund is linked to the development of the Coalburn North New Substation Project, which is eligible for Community Benefit Funding under government guidance. The project involves the construction of a new 400kV substation near Coalburn in South Lanarkshire, helping to increase network capacity, improve reliability, and connect more renewable energy to the electricity network.
The total Community Benefit Fund available for this project is £530,000.
September Funding Round 3
Funding available in the current round is estimated at:
The Grassroots Grants allocation for this fund has been fully allocated and is no longer available for applications.
Any funding not awarded during initial funding rounds will roll over into subsequent rounds until the full fund has been allocated.
You can read more about the project here.
Apply for funding
If you have a project that will benefit the Coalburn and Lesmahagow communities, please review the funding criteria below for the grant programme that best matches the size, scope, and impact of your project.
You can also contact the relevant Fund Administrator for guidance and support at any stage of the application process.
Fund Administrators are independent organisations appointed by SP Energy Networks to manage funding programmes, support applicants and oversee the application and assessment process.
Funding is offered through dedicated application windows, which open up to three times a year. For the latest information on funding availability and application dates, please refer to the top of this page.
Funding is offered through dedicated application windows, which open three times a year. For the latest information on funding availability and application dates, please refer to the top of this page.
Funding Opportunities
Local Grants
Local Grants support larger projects from over £20,000 and up to £500,000 that deliver lasting social, economic, or environmental benefits for the community. Before applying for a local grant please check the amount of funding available which may be less than £500,000.
This programme is administered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of SP Energy Networks.
Apply for Local Grants
Need help with your application?
Energy Saving Trust is your first point of contact for:
- Eligibility queries
- Project development advice
- Application guidance
- Assessment process queries
- Grant management support
Email: spenlocalfunds@est.org.uk
Other Enquiries
For general SP Energy Networks enquiries relating to the Local Grants programme that are not covered by the Fund Administrator support listed above, please contact:
Email: cb_localfund@spenergynetworks.co.uk
Capacity Building Workshops
A programme of workshops has been created to help eligible community organisations build capacity, develop project ideas and strengthen future funding applications.
Workshops can support organisations to:
- Guidance on how to become an eligible organisation
- Develop project proposals
- Identify local priorities
- Build partnerships
- Strengthen funding applications
- Improve project planning and delivery
To request a workshop, please complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) and email it to cb_localfund@spenergynetworks.co.uk.