Highland Reuse & Repair Fund

About the fund

The Reuse & Repair Fund (R&R Fund) is a 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.

The Highland Council has allocated £800,000 to support projects that meet the fund’s eligibility criteria. Two rounds of funding have now taken place, allocating £546,000 to 19 projects.  

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).
• Provide a copy of your governance documents 
• Provide a list of your directors/trustees/committee members 

Failure to provide these will delay the application being considered.

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

 

Timescales

Current application deadline: 12 noon, Friday 16th October 2026. 

This grant scheme supports community projects that promote reuse and repair, and help build a circular economy.

The assessment process will take 6-8 weeks following the close of applications, so projects should be ready to start in December 2026 / January 2027.  Projects must be fully complete, including all monitoring paperwork, before 28th February 2028.

Who can apply

Applications are welcomed from:

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

If you have a different governance structure to this, please contact rrf@highland.gov.uk to discuss eligibility before applying.

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

 

What we do not fund.

The fund is for re-use and repair initiatives.  Projects that focus on recycling, such collection of metals cans for recycling, diverstion of waster foot, such as food banks,or community compost schemes are not eligible to apply.

 

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.