Powering Communities to Net Zero fund

Key Criteria

Low-carbon technology (LTC): 

Grants of up to £20,000 are available to organisations that have a constitution (governing document or set of rules) and are set up on a not-for-profit basis. The organisations does not need to be a registered charity. 

This funding is designed to support low-carbon technology (LCT) projects which are part of a community’s decarbonisation plans. Examples include:

• solar panels
• heat systems
• battery storage
• renewable energy generation
• smart heating controls
• energy efficiency measures
• EV charging
• building management systems

All awardees must be able to meet grant conditions and draw down funds before 31 March 2027. Grants should then be spent within 12 months of being paid.

Community-led Physical and Environmental Resilience:

Grants of up to £20,000 are available to organisations that have a constitution (governing document or set of rules) and are set up on a not-for-profit basis. The organisations does not need to be a registered charity. In exceptional circumstances, multi-community area funding to a maximum of £40,000 may be considered.  

The fund will provide support for projects which create a stronger, coordinated resilience framework for local communities. For example, projects that enhance community facilities, services and communication specifically to mitigate the impact of, or support the local response to, a significant emergency such as extended power loss, severe weather events or climate change.

When assessing applications, priority will be given to:

• Projects which support communities who are particularly remote or isolated and have experienced emergencies due to poor weather in the past.
• Projects in areas affected by recent severe weather, including storms and flooding, which resulted in extended power loss.
• Projects which demonstrate innovative approaches to improving the resilience of vulnerable community members. 
• Projects that support communities where it may be difficult for emergency services to respond in a safe and timely manner.
• Projects from communities which have been identified as having low resilience.
• Projects where communities work together towards local resilience planning.
• Projects that support communities make progress towards decarbonisation. 

All awardees must be able to meet grant conditions and draw down funds before 31 March 2027. Grants should then be spent within 12 months of being paid.