Free workshops to help eligible community groups unlock SP Energy Networks funding

Funding is aimed at delivering lasting social, economic and environmental benefits for communities hosting electricity transmission infrastructure. 

With dates being announced based on local demand, the workshops are being delivered by responsible finance provider Social Investment Scotland (SIS) in partnership with SP Energy Networks, and are open to non-profit organisations in eligible areas.

Workshops broadly fall into two categories – capacity building and project development - and will be tailored to specific support needs. Community organisations are encouraged to submit an expression of interest to help shape workshop delivery.

Capacity building workshops can help with the organisational foundations that underpin a strong application, covering governance, finance, community planning, marketing and communications, project planning, and evaluation and reporting.

Project development workshops can support groups to shape specific project ideas around the fund’s priority themes: financial resilience, educational inclusion, employability and skills development, social and digital inclusion, wellbeing and active lifestyles, improving community spaces and buildings, enhancing green spaces, and sustainable and inclusive transport.

Kieran Daly, head of market building at SIS, said: “Accessing the right funding can be a significant challenge, which is why workshops like these are crucial in helping groups understand what funding is available and what’s required to strengthen their applications.

“By working in partnership with SP Energy Networks, we’re able to provide practical, tailored support that builds confidence and capability within community organisations. These sessions are about giving local groups the tools to improve their case for funding and to turn good ideas into projects that make a real difference for their communities… empowering local groups to turn ideas into impactful projects that deliver lasting benefits for their communities.”

Liam Cantwell, Transmission Community Fund Manager at SP Energy Networks, added: “We are really pleased to be able to offer these initial workshops to eligible communities alongside the SIS team. We understand each community has unique needs and will be at various stages with their projects or ideas and want to work with them every step of the way. These workshops, which will be tailored to their individual needs, will allow us to help them develop tangible plans and strong cases for their funding applications – in turn, helping bring local priorities to life.”

Community groups wishing to take part should register their expression of interest by 8 May 2026 by emailing: Communitybenefits@spenergynetworks.co.uk.

Recordings of recent information sessions – providing an introduction to the fund’s purpose, eligibility criteria and priority themes – are available on the SIS website to help community organisations understand whether the programme could support their ambitions.