Community Regeneration Funding

Highland Reuse & Repair Fund

Highland Reuse & Repair Fund (R&R Fund)

Maoin Ath-chleachdaidh & Càraidh na Gàidhealtachd

About the fund

The Reuse & Repair Fund (R&R Fund) is a new Highland Council grant scheme aimed at supporting a circular economy and reducing carbon emissions from waste.  The fund will enable communities to both develop new approaches and build on existing projects working to increase levels of reuse and facilitate repairs. 

Whilst achieving a positive impact on the environment from reducing carbon emissions is a key strategic priority for Highland Council, this fund will also have a positive socio-economic outcome.  Building skills and capacity within local groups and increasing the availability of upcycled goods within communities will be of particular benefit for those affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

How to apply

The R&R Fund will consider both capital and revenue costs.

A total of £500,000 is available over 2 years to support projects that meet the fund’s eligibility criteria.  Grant awards are available from a minimum of £2,000 up to a maximum of £50,000.  An intervention rate of up to 100% is possible, however those projects with secured match funding or in-kind contributions are likely to score higher during assessment.   Read all sections on this page before applying to ensure your project is eligible.

To apply, you are only required to:

• complete an application form (see link below)
• submit a copy of a recent bank statement
• submit a copy of your latest annual accounts
• include your Fair Work First policy statement (more information below).

Failure to provide these will delay the application being considered, and it may have to be deferred to the next decision-making round.

If considered suitable for funding, applicants will be required to submit further documentation to support the application.

Timescales

The fund is open to accept applications from now and will close 6th March 2026.  There will be two rounds of decision-making during this time when applications will be considered.  If the total available allocation is committed before the closure date, the fund will close.  Information on the website will be updated to notify applicants.

The fund will re-open in April 2026, when new application deadlines will be confirmed. 

A completed application form does not guarantee that it will be successful. Officers will assess your proposal on technical eligibility and the waste reduction / community benefit impact it will deliver. If there are any issues with your application, an officer will be in touch with feedback.

The key dates are as follows:

• Round 1 – Submit by midday on Monday 1st December 2025
• Round 2 – Submit by midday on Friday 6th March 2026

Projects will have a 12-month period from the offer of a grant in which to spend the allocated funds.

Who can apply

Applications are welcomed from:

• Constituted community groups
• Public sector bodies
• Charities
• Voluntary and social enterprises
• Co-operatives and community ownership initiatives
• Development trusts

What we fund

The R&R Fund will consider both capital and revenue projects that meet at least ONE of the following priority themes:

• Community-led Waste Reduction
  Empowering communities to extend the life of materials through reuse, repair and upcycling.
• Skills for Sustainable Living
  Supporting workshops and initiatives that teach repair, mending and creative reuse skills - building local capacity and reducing household costs.

Examples of types of projects that could be supported include:

• Establishing local repair cafés, reuse hubs, and upcycling workshops
• Hosting community swap and reuse events
• Creative upcycling and circular economy projects
• Skills for sustainable living workshops
• Development of community tool libraries and resource hubs
• Intergenerational learning and traditional skills sharing

Fair Work First

Fair Work First is the Scottish Government's policy for driving high quality and fair work across the labour market in Scotland. This is increasingly being implemented to grants, other funding and contracts being awarded across the public sector. All applicants must provide a signed statement to evidence that their organisation is committed to advancing the ‘Real Living Wage’ and ‘Effective Voice’ criteria. Applications cannot progress without a signed statement.  The downloadable Fair Work First summary guidance linked below includes a pro-forma statement which groups are welcome to adapt to suit their organisation.