The Powering our Communities Fund is a grant fund for local community based projects with the aim of supporting a just energy transition by enabling communities to take part in the development and delivery of community energy projects.
Electricity North West are inviting applications for projects that support a just transition be enabling communities to take part in the development and delivery of community energy projects.
In particular, projects that can demonstrate how they can contribute to the delivery of one, or more, of the following priorities:
- Activity to seed the development of a community energy project
- Activity to address a specific barrier that is holding back the development of a community energy project
- Adopting a proven community energy approach or business model in a new community or situation
Electricity North West are looking for projects that will lay the foundations to enable communities to go on to deliver projects with significant impacts such as carbon savings, local economic benefits, enhanced community resilience and communities that feel more empowered to take action on climate change.
The fund is open to all and particularly welcomes applications from minority ethnic groups or other groups that are often “seldom heard” or at risk of being left behind in the energy systems transition.
Who can apply?
Applications will be accepted from a wide range of any type of organisation including community energy groups or businesses, energy cooperatives, any time of community-based organisation, environmental groups or organisations, parish, schools or local authorities as long as they can demonstrate the community involvement or local benefit of their project.
What can be funded?
The funding can be used to support a wide range of activities including, but not limited to:
- Staff time or technical expertise
- Upskilling or training of community members
- Feasibility or research studies
- Engagement events or other engagement methods and materials
- Equipment
Projects will run from October 2024 -October 2025 unless agreed otherwise.
How much funding is available?
Grants between £5,000 and £15,000 and the project will need a bank account to accept the funding. There is up to £100,000 available in total to support projects.
Deadline: 26 July 2024, 5pm