Funding available to support energy efficiency in community buildings

Tess, from our climate partner, the Centre for Sustainable Energy, shares how you can apply for funding to help make your community building more energy- and cost-efficient.

Do you need to save money on your community building?

You could be eligible for a government-funded energy efficiency scheme being run by Groundwork UK.

With three in five community buildings in England’s most deprived areas not meeting basic energy efficiency standards, this scheme will support communities across the country to save money, improve the sustainability of community spaces and help deliver more efficient services for people and communities.

Big Local support partners Locality and the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) are working with Groundwork UK to support the scheme, which is available in two parts:

1. A free Independent Energy Assessment (IEA), which will support community organisations and groups to identify energy-saving measures in their community building.
2. The opportunity to apply for a capital grant of between £2,000 and £150,000 that can be used to install energy efficiency measures that have been identified in the IEA.

IEA applications are currently open and will close on Thursday 20 June 2024.

Capital grants applications are currently open and will close on Friday 14 August 2024.

The scheme is primarily targeted at micro, small and medium size organisations supporting individuals and communities with critical needs.

Examples include services that:

• address poverty, including by providing food, warmth, emergency supplies or personal grants
• provide shelter, accommodation and housing for those most in need
• provide advice for people experiencing financial, housing or legal challenges
• address specific physical and mental health issues (such as disability, addiction and dementia)
• provide education, training and employment services that improve employability.

It also includes community hubs or centres, out of which any of the above services operate.

Get support with your application

To find out more about the scheme and how to apply, visit the Groundwork website.

Additional support and resources for Big Local areas

Local Trust can offer support to Big Local areas to make their assets more energy efficient. Find out how you can access bespoke support from our climate partners in the Big Local support centre.

Download our community action plan, developed in partnership with CSE and packed with tips on maintaining your building, making it more energy efficient and getting professional help.