The Community Energy Fund (CEF) is a £10 million grant scheme for urban and rural communities to develop community energy projects, including local renewable and low carbon energy projects (such as wind farms, hydro power and rural heat networks, community electric vehicle projects (such as electric vehicle charging points and electric car clubs) and energy efficiency retrofit and advice projects (where there is local need and a gap in existing services and where there is a business model for a sustainable service).

The Fund aims to empower local people to take control of their energy future by:

• Increasing the number of community-owned low-carbon energy assets

• Supporting communities to reduce energy cost and demand

• Generating local income through community-owned energy assets

• Reinvesting income locally and kickstarting private investment

• Supporting local jobs, growth and volunteering opportunities

• Enabling places to benefit from clean, renewable, local energy

Key Criteria

Applications must be led by legally constituted voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. Town or Parish Councils are also eligible to apply.

Funding is provided in two stages:

• Stage 1 – Feasibility grants of up to £40,000.

• Stage 2 – Development grants of up to £100,000.

Stage 1 grants (of up to £40,000) can pay for professional support to scope project feasibility.

Stage 2 grants (of up to £100,000) are available for projects that have been found to be feasible, with a good chance of securing planning permission and being implemented, to cover more detailed investigation of the relevant technology, planning applications, advanced landowner agreements and development of a robust business case to attract sufficient investment.

Amounts available: Maximum £100,000

Application deadlines: 13th September 2024 and 8th November 2024