Community Sustainable Energy in England

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) is inviting applications to its next funding round of the Community Sustainable Energy Programme (CSEP). The money comes from the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme. Capital and project development grants are available to community-based organisations throughout England to install small-scale energy efficient technology such as wind turbines or solar panels on sites including village halls, visitor centres or schools. Funding to improve building insulation is also available.

Who can apply?

Grants will only be awarded to eligible not-for-profit community-based organisations in England. This includes:

• Community groups governed by a written constitution;
• Registered charities and trusts;
• Parish Councils;
• Schools and colleges;
• Companies with a charitable purpose and community focus;
• Mutual societies;
• Church-based and other faith organisations.

What can you apply for?

The aims of the programme as a whole are to achieve the following:

• A reduction in CO2 emissions;
• Increased community awareness of climate change and how changes to behaviour can reduce it;
• Increased skills of local trades (for example builders and subcontractors) working on renewable energy projects for the first time;
• Reduction in energy bills;
• Reduction in reliance on imported energy and increased independence from commercial energy suppliers;
• Stronger partnerships within local communities and lasting social benefits;
• Growth of local enterprise in new technologies.

Two types of grant are available: capital and project development.

1. Capital Grants.

Capital Grants will be given for the purchase and installation of any of the technologies listed below along with various energy efficiency measures, including cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, heating and lighting controls to make the most of the new capital installations:

• Solar Photovoltaics;
• Solar Thermal Hot Water;
• Wind Turbines;
• Ground Source Heat Pumps/Air Source Heat Pumps;
• Automated Wood Pellet Stoves;
• Wood Fuelled Boiler Systems;
• Micro-hydro Turbines.

You can apply for up to £50,000 or 50% of the total cost, whichever is the lower sum.

2. Project Development Grants.

Project Development Grants will be given for studies investigating the feasibility of installing the above-mentioned technologies. The maximum grant will be £5000 or 75% of the study cost (whichever is lower).

How to apply.

Full guidance notes are available at www.communitysustainable.org.uk/filelibrary/CSbreguidance.pdf. You can also call the helpline on 0845 3 671 671 for a hard copy. If you have specific questions about the programme or application process you should call 08458 630 025 or e-mail info@communitysustainable.org.uk.

Applications for Project Development Grants are accepted at any time. Capital Grant applications are considered quarterly and there are cut off dates before each selection panel meeting. You are encouraged to apply as soon as you can before those cut off dates.

The contact address is:

Community Sustainable Energy Programme
BRE
Building 17
Garston
Watford
WD25 9XX

Closing date: The next closing date is 30 January 2009 for a selection panel meeting early in March. Further deadlines are proposed for 1 May, 7 August and 30 October 2009 and 29 January, 7 May, 30 July and 29 October 2010.