This National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund: Energy and Climate grant programme, which has a total budget of £10 million, aims to inspire and support communities across the UK to address the energy and climate crisis. The Lottery is looking for projects that show how communities can address climate change while tackling the energy challenges through community-led climate action that results in long-term change. All projects should have the potential to have a positive impact beyond the communities they're directly working with.
The Lottery is particularly looking to support projects that:
o Bring communities together so that they can explore ways to promote energy efficiency
o Enable communities to understand and engage with opportunities for clean energy generation, which do not use fossil fuels, and
o Encourage communities to use energy in an environmentally friendly way.
All projects should consider how everyone in the community can get involved with climate action. They must also address any reasons why some people might be left out.
The Energy and Climate Fund aims to bring a range of benefits to communities, including:
o Creating local ’green’ jobs, such as jobs providing low-carbon heat for homes, community energy champions and energy advisors.
o Improving health and well-being.
o Reducing carbon emissions, and/or
o Supporting communities to be more resilient.
This is a UK-wide Fund suitable for a range of not-for-profit organisations (see ‘who can apply’ above).
Projects can apply for up to £1.5 million over 2 to 5 years. The minimum grant is £500,000. The Lottery aims to fund around 8-12 projects in total through the Fund..
The Lottery has provided a blog giving examples of the type of project the programme is likely to support.
A 2-stage application process applies for this programme:
1. Stage 1 applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Notifications are expected within 6 weeks.
2. Stage 2 will require applicants to submit a full proposal. Final decisions are expected within four months.
A number of virtual events have been organised for agencies interested in finding out more or applying to the programme, as follows:
1. Tuesday 21st March 2023 between 12:00 and 12:45.
2. Tuesday 18th April 2023 between 12:00 and 12:45.
3. Tuesday 16th April 2023 between 12:00 and 12:45, and
4. Tuesday 20th June 2023 between 12:00 and 12:45.
Details about how to register for the information webinar is available on Eventbrite.
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply can be found on the National lottery Community Fund website.
