The Highland Council is encouraging community groups and organisations to apply for a share of £500,000 that has been made available through a new Highland Reuse & Repair Fund.
Chair of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "I am very pleased to be able to announce the opening of this new fund.
The investment will enable communities both to develop new approaches and to build on existing community initiatives that increase levels of reuse and facilitate repairs.
"Whilst achieving a positive impact on the environment from reducing carbon emissions associated with waste 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 to those affected by the cost-of-living crisis."
Projects are expected to 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 cafes, 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
Applications are welcomed from constituted community groups; public sector bodies; charities; voluntary and social enterprises; co-operatives and community ownership initiatives and development trusts.
This is a competitive process, so the Council is highlighting that projects with secured match funding or in-kind contributions are likely to score higher during assessment. Applicants can apply for funding for both capital and revenue costs.
The minimum grant support available is £2,000 and the maximum will be £50,000.
The Council is operating a rolling application process to apply to the Reuse & Repair Fund. There will be 2 funding rounds this financial year, with more to follow in 2026-27. The key dates are as follows:
Round 1 - Submit by 12 noon on 1st December 2025.
Round 2 - Submit by 12 noon on 6th March 2026.
The fund will close on 6th March and reopen in April 2026. Projects will have a 12-month period from the offer of a grant in which to spend the allocated funds.
For full information, application form and further guidance please visit -
How to apply | Highland Reuse and Repair Fund | The Highland Council
https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/283/community_life_and_leisure/1158/highland_reuse_and_repair_fund/3