The Royal Bank Regenerate Fund, in partnership with the giving platform Neighbourly, will provide £150,000 to schools, charities, and community groups across the country. The fund aims to turn innovative ideas into reality by awarding £3,000 to each of the 50 successful applicants. Projects related to energy efficiency, environment and biodiversity, food, water, waste, as well as transport and mobility, are eligible for consideration.

Activities could include installing LED lightbulbs or installing EV charging points, through to more creative ideas like building kitchen gardens or organising beach clean programmes. To ensure fair evaluation, the bank will involve third-party experts in the judging process, assessing projects against specific criteria.

The Royal Bank Regenerate Fund welcomes various organisations, including schools, colleges, universities, charities, and community groups, to submit their applications. Starting from today, applications are being accepted until the 11 August deadline.

Judith Cruickshank, chair, One Bank Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Scotland is home to many organisations who are already making a difference in our communities.

“The Royal Bank Regenerate Fund will create opportunities for these groups to not only begin their sustainability journey and bring their climate ideas to life but help inspire others to do the same.

“I’d encourage everyone who can apply, to apply. We look forward to seeing the ideas and projects that are proposed.”

Neighbourly is the bank’s programme partner. Neighbourly is a B-Corp organisation who will verify each organisation, manage payments to successful applicants and monitor the use of each grant.

Steve Butterworth, Neighbourly CEO said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Royal Bank of Scotland on this important initiative to help local groups accelerate their sustainability ambitions.

“There are so many inspiring examples of local community action in Scotland that can benefit from this opportunity and we’re really looking forward to seeing the impact of this programme across the nation.”

Three causes that operate in Scotland have assisted in the development of the initiative and have received a £3000 grant to develop or enhance their sustainability projects. These are Pitreavie Athletics Club, Fresh Start and Bike For Good.

Gordon Soutar is the club development manager at the progressive and forward thinking Pitreavie Amateur Athletics Club.

Mr Soutar said: “The grant from the Royal Bank Regenerate Fund is crucial. Our facilities are fairly old and use a lot of energy. We are determined to improve our carbon footprint but the costs to make the necessary changes have been a big issue for us.

“The Royal Bank Regenerate fund will allow us to now make these improvements, which will not only help reduce our environmental impact, but ensure that our club can run as well as our athletes.”

Gregory Kinsman-Chauvet is the founder of Glasgow’s Bike for Good. Founded in Glasgow in 2010, Bike for Good refurbishes over 1,000 bikes every year, giving people affordable access to cycling and diverting tonnes of waste from landfill.

Mr Kinsman-Chauvet said: “This grant from The Royal Bank Regenerate Fund is really important to us as a small enterprise. We’re passionate about the benefits of cycling, whether it’s the environmental benefits of being able to better get around the city without using a car or taking the bus, or the benefits on health and wellbeing.

“We will now be able to refurbish more bikes and increase our skills workshops in the community to help get more people on their bikes.”

Carrie-Ann Scougall works at Fresh Start in Edinburgh. Fresh Start has been providing essential goods and services to people experiencing homelessness since 1999.

Ms Scougall said: “This grant from The Royal Bank Regenerate Fund will really help us to get more products into the hands of people who really need and appreciate them.

“We know that once you’ve lived with homelessness, a tenancy is only the beginning of a new journey.

“By repurposing thousands of everyday products we’re helping people start a new life, but also saving tonnes of waste from landfall, it’s a win-win”.