Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK’s innovation agency. They work to create a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. With an annual budget of over £1billion they provide businesses with access to the expertise, facilities and funding they need to test, demonstrate and evolve their ideas, driving UK productivity and economic growth.

Phase 1 Outcomes

Phase 1 of the project took a community focussed approach to identifying non-technical barriers and place-based solutions in three communities across both rural and urban settings. Involving both businesses and residents, similar non-technical barriers emerged:

a) Lack of awareness and support mechanisms

b) Lack of green skills

c) Supply chain issues

d) Ownership and permission (including planning restrictions)

e) Personal financial status

f) Lack of sustainable transport options (rural)

g) Cost and scheduling of sustainable transport options (rural areas)

Place based community co-created solutions were voted on and the two following solutions ,revitalising homes and connection regional transport, were identified as the most popular areas to explore within the Pathfinders funded project.

The project employed a community-focused methodology based on belief residents and businesses best understand local challenges and opportunities. This approach comprised:

Multi-Modal Engagement Strategy

• Community workshops
• Business workshops and roundtable discussions
• In-depth interviews with local businesses and trade associations
• Surveying via Door-to-door and high-footfall area engagement
• Drop-in sessions at community libraries targeting underrepresented voices

Place-Based Solutions Focus

• Place-based approaches rather than off-the-shelf solutions
• Local knowledge integration to ensure practical, workable outcomes
• Community focused approach and adaptive strategies in overcoming non-technical barriers

Revitalising Homes

This workstream addressed barriers to home retrofit through an innovative whole-system approach:

• One Stop Shop model: Innovative whole-system approach engaging communities and businesses to develop a One Stop Shop.
• Knowledge Hub: Designed outline for an accessible, locally relevant online resource for home energy guidance.
• Green Skills: Mapped local businesses and identified training needs.
• Circular Economy: Explored leasing and disposal models within retrofit supply chain.
• Grants: Engaged with Energy Savings Trust to improve grant reclaim processes.

Connecting Regional Travel

Focusing on Aberfeldy and Highland Perthshire, this workstream developed sustainable transport solutions through community engagement:

• Smart Moves Aberfeldy: Delivered a communications strategy and toolkit promoting sustainable transport and active travel.
• Rural mobility Options: Assessed feasibility of EV minibuses, fare zones, lift sharing, and bike transport.
• Community Engagement: Identified transport needs through resident consultation.
• Youth Involvement: Enabled young voices in planning via Tay Valley Connections.
• Active Travel: Planned Bikeability training to boost cycling confidence.

Immediate Priorities

• Launch One Stop Shop and Knowledge Hub by autumn 2025 using £80,000 PKC climate change seed funding secured through project outcomes
• Deploy 'Smart Moves Aberfeldy' campaign through established community partnerships
• Implement Bikeability training programs via Council's Safer Communities Team with volunteer train-the-trainer sessions

Strategic Development

• Secure match funding through identified grant opportunities for OSS expansion
• Integrate with employability initiatives linking retrofit opportunities with skills development through PKC Employability Team and UHI construction academy partnerships
• Embed circular economy principles through national material inventories, equipment rental systems, and circular planning tools

The project delivered both immediate tangible outputs and strategic insights with long-term implications:

• One Stop Shop model is confirmed as the most practical solution for scaling retrofit in Perth & Kinross.
• Community and business engagement shaped all major decisions, ensuring solutions were context-sensitive and trusted.
• Interest from other Scottish local authorities in replicating the OSS model.
• Enhanced partner capabilities, including improved research, engagement, and delivery skills.

Environmental, social, and economic impacts include:

• One Stop Shop lays the foundation for long-term home energy efficiency reducing emissions.
• The transport campaign toolkit aims to cut car use and boost active travel.
• Socially, the project supports reduced fuel poverty and isolation.
• New retrofit sector opportunities, strengthened supply chains, and identified green skills and local employment pathways.

In summary, the project has provided valuable insights into effective engagement, delivery, and innovation for place-based net-zero initiatives, demonstrating the power of a community focused approach and adaptive strategies in overcoming non-technical barriers to climate action. The tangible outputs, such as the refined One Stop Shop for retrofit model and the "Smart Moves Aberfeldy" campaign, are considered robust and community-grounded to accelerate the local journey to net zero.