Targeted Support for Fuel-Poor Households
The Fund has played a key role in helping households manage rising living costs by supporting an energy‑efficiency scheme delivered by Shetland Islands Council. The funding has been used to provide top‑up grants that help homeowners cover their contribution to the Scottish Government’s Heat and Energy Efficiency Scotland: Area‑Based Scheme, as well as grants for new windows and doors.
The scheme is focused on fuel poor and extreme fuel poor households, ensuring help reaches those who need it most. The additional funding helps bridge funding gaps, allowing comprehensive energy‑efficiency improvements to be carried out. New windows and doors can significantly reduce heat loss—particularly in exposed island homes—and are installed where they will make the greatest difference.
Since January 2025, almost £300,000 has been awarded to improve 47 homes across Shetland. From April 2026 to June 2029, the scheme will continue to be delivered by Warmworks Scotland LLP, working as local managing agents.
Strengthening Youth Voice Through Peer Research
OPEN has received £59,583 to recruit a trainee Peer Researcher and upskill staff. The project aims to strengthen youth voice and leadership by equipping young people with the skills and confidence to design and deliver community‑led peer research.
Enhancing Wildlife Habitats Across Shetland
A grant of £46,260 to the Shetland Bird Club will support the sowing of 20 acres of wildlife crops across Shetland over the next three years. These short‑term pollen, nectar and seed‑rich “Bumblebird” crops will benefit Twite (Lintie), pollinators and migrant birds, and will be managed by crofters.
Investment in Local Amenities and Community Development
- Michaelswood will construct a new storage shed with a side greenhouse thanks to a £93,840 grant, supporting its role as a much‑loved community amenity for leisure, volunteering and education.
- Bressay Development will receive £103,135 towards four years of salary costs for a Community Energy Development Officer, who will work across multiple communities.
- The Shetland Fishermen’s Trust has been awarded £181,500 for a four‑year Fishing Youth Opportunity Programme, aimed at recruiting, training and retaining young Shetlanders in entry‑level roles within the local whitefish industry.
- UHI Shetland will receive £95,035 to build on the success of the BLUE CONNECT project, supporting marine mammal data collection within the Shetland and Fair Isle IMMA. Funding will support boat‑based surveys, equipment purchases and volunteer training from April 2026 to March 2028.
- 5 awards of £10,000 were also made from the Community Halls grant scheme. The successful applicants, who were all carrying out energy efficiency projects, were – Burra Public Hall, North Unst Public Hall, Ollaberry Hall, Sound Community Association and West Sandwick Hall.
