Third sector funding for Sustainability

This article looks at three sources of funding that are currently open for applications.  The first two are for organisations to run projects or trial actions that will help consumers reduce the impact of energy use.  The third is to help organisations improve their own energy efficiency.

Energy Redress scheme

This scheme is funded by payments from energy companies who have broken rules, since it’s start in 2018 it has provided over £100 million to support over 500 projects.

It is designed for charities to run projects that “support households most at risk from cold homes and high energy bills, and develop innovative products and services related to domestic energy use, or address carbon emissions reduction.”   

It could support a wide range of action from helping people access technology that will help them use energy more efficiently, to trialing new business models or interventions to allow households to use more locally generated renewable energy. 

There are two streams open at the moment:

• Main Fund and Small Projects Fund, which seems primarily aimed at helping people who are vulnerable and at risk from cold homes and high energy bills.

• Innovation Fund and Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund, aimed at trialling innovative or technical solutions to more systemic issues, that will help reduce carbon emissions from energy use.

The closing date for these is 20 February 2024.  More information at:  https://energyredress.org.uk/announcements/ps20m-funding-round-now-open-charities-and-community-energy-groups-through-ofgem

The Shoosmiths Foundation

The foundations is currently open for funding applications for projects that help bring about a just transition to carbon Net Zero.

Applicants must be UK registered charities, but the criteria for projects that could be funded seem pretty broad.  Things that come to mind that might be suitable could include social housing providers looking at systemic or cooperative solutions, to allow residents to reduce their energy use, or access more affordable sustainable energy.

The deadline is 26 February 2024, but may be sooner if sufficient suitable applications are received.

More information at:  www.shoosmiths.com/our-responsibility/shoosmiths-foundation

VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme:

This is a specific funding stream that has recently opened, that can provide grants to help third sector organisations improve their own energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The deadline for this 29 February 2024.

The application process starts with an “Energy assessment”, essentially an audit that looks at an organisation’s energy use and the potential for achieving reductions.  Suitable organisations can then apply for capital grants to make improvements.

More information at:   https://www.groundwork.org.uk/vcseenergyefficiency/

#thirdsector #funding #energyfunding #sustainabilityfunding