CoRE aims to showcase how a green recovery can transform our rural towns and villages and make our communities better connected, healthier and improve the standard of living, through a just transition, whilst supporting the creation of long-term sustainable jobs.
CoRE will focus support in Cumnock and Doon valley, an area which has experienced economic and population decline since the decline of the coal mining industry. A primary focus of the CoRE project will therefore be to maximise the socio-economic and community health and well-being benefits associated with the net-zero transition. Four key project aims have been set to reflect this focus:

1. To tackle fuel poverty – Help communities make affordable choices to heat and power their homes.
2. Make places which benefit our communities’ health and wellbeing.
3. Make homes and buildings more sustainable and comfortable for people to live and work in.
4. Ensure our communities have the skills and qualifications to contribute to the low carbon sector supply chain.

To deliver the vision and objectives, CoRE will deliver a programme of demonstrator projects and establish a Centre of Excellence training facility. The demonstrator projects will help our communities and businesses to adapt and respond to climate risks and sustainability challenges. The projects will aim to showcase how critical areas of community infrastructure, such as housing, transport and energy, can successfully transition to net-zero, whilst supporting a just transition through ensuring support reaches those who need it most. The projects will provide solutions and pathways which can be replicated at scale to help overcome challenges preventing the transition to net-zero, to inform approaches to achieve carbon emissions reduction targets.

We are progressing with delivery our first phase programme of pathfinder demonstrator projects across 2025-2026 – details of the current programme of pathfinder projects can be found here: Community Renewable Energy Project · East Ayrshire Council

CoRE will also seek to establish a Centre of Excellence, vocational skills academy, within Cumnock, which will deliver a programme of skills development, vocational training and STEM education initiatives. The Centre will address regional skills shortages within the renewable and low-carbon industries, helping our residents to gain the skills and qualifications needed for well-paid and sustainable employment within a high growth sector. CoRE will support the development of career pathways, which connect schools, further education and industry, establishing a pipeline of skilled and environmentally aware young workers to help Ayrshire build the skills capacity needed to be at the forefront of the net-zero transition. A partnership consultation strategy is currently being implemented to inform development of the Centre’s scope and operating model, with planned construction scheduled between 2027-28.

Investment opportunities

CoRE is keen to work with private, public and third sector stakeholders and investors to deliver demonstrator projects which showcase adoption of innovative renewable and low-carbon technologies and systems to drive positive change for our communities. If you are interested in exploring collaboration opportunities, please contact diarmid.turnbull@east-ayrshire.gov.uk