Community organisations

Community organisations, charities and not-for-profit organisations can offer a valuable service to local neighbourhoods.

Whether you are a community organisations wishing to expand your work into the energy sector or you are an individual hoping to work with in your local neighbourhood on energy related projects the LEA can help you.

Our team is able to guide you through the process of setting up your own community project including help with developing your idea, creating an action plan, sourcing funding, recruiting volunteers and much more! We are happy to guide you through the steps of setting up and running your own project and will be on-hand to provide any technical advice you may need.

Community projects may include:

  • Recruiting local energy champions
  • Carbon footprinting your local community
  • Hosting energy fairs
  • Community-owned renewable energy
  • Making community venues more energy efficient
  • Energy monitor loan scheme
  • Awareness raising activities
  • Training of grassroots/community-based workers

We are also keen to work with groups who wish to examine their own energy use e.g. fuel bills of local community centres and charity offices. By examining your fuel use you can see where energy is being wasted. We can draw up an action plan to reduce energy costs as well as help raise awareness on energy related issues within your staff and volunteers.

The LEA has experience of helping organisations prepare environmental statements and travel plans to help improve the green credentials of businesses and community/charitable organisations.

For more information on how the LEA could help your organisation please call and speak to one the team.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is energy generated from natural sources such as wind, sunlight and tides which are naturally replenished. Renewable Energy encompasses a number of different technologies with each having unique characteristics which influence how and where they are used. Certain types of renewables will be more suited to an urban environment such as Leicester than others.

Renewable energy technologies include:

  • Wind power
  • Solar power - both solar electricity and solar hot water
  • Biomass
  • Hydro-power
  • Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
  • Ground and air source heat pumps (also known as geothermal)
  • Fuel Cells

Renewable energy requires an initial investment to purchase the technology. However, the savings made by the renewable technology should pay for this initial cost over a number of years (the payback period). The cost of the different technologies varies wildly. However, there is usually financial help available for this including grants and loans.

Community based renewables either refer to renewable energy installations on community buildings or installations which are owned by a community cooperative and/or feed the generated energy into neighbouring buildings (e.g. through a district heating system).

Renewable energy will help lower your energy costs and reduce your community's carbon footprint. The Leicester Energy Agency can provide help to community based organisations/charities on the subject of renewable energy in a number of ways:

  • Provide information, advice and guidance
  • Carry out general Renewable Energy surveys
  • Lend support with Renewable Energy projects
  • Help with planning issues
  • Signposting to funding sources
  • Identification of best practice
  • Searching and identifying consultants for your project

For further information on renewable energy please contact the Leicester Energy Agency on 0116 262 4698 or email info@energyagency.co.uk

Grants and Assistance

There are various grants and funding available for community organisations to make them more energy efficient. Which fund is best for you will depend on the type of project that you are planning to do.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme: This is a government scheme which has 2 funding streams - Phase 1 for householders and Phase 2 for public sector organisations (e.g. schools) and charitable organisations. The scheme offers funding for the installation of micro-generation technologies (renewable energy) with different levels of grants available for different technologies.

To qualify for the scheme you must already have basic energy efficiency measures installed (where appropriate) and you can only use one of the approved and accredited installers for the programme. A list of approved installers for your area can be downloaded from the website.

LCBP Phase 1 (Householders)
www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk

LCBP Phase 2 (Charities and Public Sector)
www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk

N.B: Phase 2 of the LCBP for charities and the public sector ends in June 2009. The Phase 1 stream for householders is planned to end in June 2010. Please see the website for more information and updates on funding status.

Community Sustainable Energy Programme: This grant scheme will provide £8 million to not-for-profit community-based organisations for the installation of micro-generation technologies, such as solar panels or wind turbines and energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation. It will also provide £1 million for project development grants that will help community organisations establish if a micro-generation and energy efficiency installation will work for them.

The funding comes from the Big Lottery and is administered by BRE. Organisations can apply for up to 75% of costs for project development (up to a maximum of £5,000) and up to 50% of costs for the purchase and installation of micro-generation technologies (up to a maximum of £50,000).

There are 4 funding rounds per year for this project and it is planned to continue until at least autumn 2010. For more information visit the programme website at www.communitysustainable.org.uk

E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund: This fund supports the development of efficient and sustainable energy measures for community organisations. As well as the fund, the programme has an information resource on its website which offers advice and guidance on sustainable energy specifically for community organisations.

The fund offers grants of up to £20,000 (or up to a maximum of 90% total costs) to community groups and not for profit organisations who wish to consider and implement sustainable energy projects in their buildings - from energy efficiency through to micro-generation. Match funding can be sought from public sector organisations but E.ON must be the sole corporate sponsor for the project. Also, your organisation must benefit specific community groups namely:

  • Young people
  • Elderly people
  • People in fuel poverty

This fund is run on an annual basis as funds are secured per year. The applications deadlines for 2009 are June 12th and October 16th. For more information visit the programme website www.eon-uk.com

  • Big Lottery Awards for All
    www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
  • O2 It's Your Community
    www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk
  • Fuel Suppliers
    Fuel suppliers offer grants and discounts for various energy related measures including loft and cavity wall insulation. Please contact your own fuel supplier to see what they can offer you.

This is just a small selection of the grants available for community based projects. Each have different criteria and deadlines which can make it difficult to choose which one is most suitable for your project. The LEA can help you source and apply for grants by offering advice and guidance throughout this process. We can help see your project idea from conception to completion and offer levels of service suitable to your needs.