Electricity North West is calling for applications to its Powering Our Communities fund, now in its seventh year. With a total of £100,000 available, this initiative grants funding to groups and organisations looking to develop community energy projects across the North West region.

In particular, projects that can demonstrate how they can contribute to the delivery of one, or more, of the following priorities:

  1. Activity to seed the development of a community energy project
  2. Activity to address a specific barrier that is holding back the development of a community energy project
  3. Adopting a proven community energy approach or business model in a new community or situation. 

We 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.   

Our fund is open to all of our community and we particularly welcome 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?

We will award successful projects with 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.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2024 Powering Our Communities fund closes at 5pm on Friday 26th July.

Application forms and supporting information should be submitted to [email protected]. 

Successful applicants will be notified in September.

For the application form guidance and supporting documents, visit www.enwl.co.uk/funding.