'Investing in your community: A guide to managing community funds', Highlands and Islands Enterprise

This guide, created with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, offers practical advice for communities managing funds generated from renewable energy projects or other sources. It provides models, examples, and best practices for creating, distributing, and sustaining community funds.

Key Features:

1. Models of fund management: explores community-led, broker-managed, and local authority-managed approaches, allowing communities to select the best fit based on capacity and goals.
2. Practical steps for fund delivery: covers the entire process, including early screening of ideas, grant distribution, monitoring outcomes, and maintaining accountability and transparency.
3. Case studies: features examples like the Isle of Gigha’s community-owned wind turbines, which fund housing improvements and local services, and Rousay, Egilsay, and Wyre Development Trust’s wind projects, which support education and infrastructure.
4. Governance and accountability: Emphasises good governance practices, transparency, and community engagement to build trust and ensure the effective use of funds.
5. Sustainability and long-term planning: encourages reinvestment in renewable energy, local businesses, and infrastructure to generate stable income and support future projects.

Why It Matters:
This guide equips communities with the knowledge to leverage renewable energy revenues for sustainable development, fostering independence, resilience, and long-term economic and social benefits.