News
Government Funding for VCSE Organisations to Help Improve Energy Efficiency, Spring 2024
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) is offering a funding package to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations improve their energy efficiency.The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme aims to help VCSEs deliver more efficient services for people and communities by saving money on their energy bills.
led by Groundwork UK, the scheme is being delivered by a collection of partners and supported by Energy Saving Trust, Centre for Sustainable Energy, Locality, and Social Investment Business.
The scheme is funded as part of a package of over £100 million of support being delivered by the Government to help frontline delivery organisations with the increased cost of living
The scheme has two main components:
Independent Energy Assessment (IEA)
The Independent Energy Assessment is a complete evaluation of a charity’s energy usage, efficiency, and potential for energy savings of a charity’s location, which would be carried out by a qualified and experienced energy assessor.
This independent assessment includes an on-site collection of data on costs and energy usage, examining a charity’s existing systems, providing recommendations, estimating savings, and providing an action plan.
With an acceptable IEA, a charity can then be eligible for a Capital Grant through the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme.
Capital Grants
If a charity has a suitable IEA, they can apply for a Capital Grant to support the delivery of their frontline services.
The Grants can be used to install the energy efficiency measures which had been identified in the charity’s Energy Assessment to reduce their building’s energy costs. This can include:
- Building insulation enhancements (insulation, draft-proofing, glazing and thermal doors)
- Space and water heating measures (efficient boilers, heating controls, etc.)
- Lighting upgrades (light fittings and lighting controls), and
- Renewable energy measures that reduce energy costs
For more information and how to apply, visit the Groundwork website.
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If you would like to see coverage of specific news or subject to help your charity, your project, your community group or enterprise, you can get in touch by email at info@mva.org.uk, you can also contact MVA via the website.