On December 7th, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport unveiled a substantial £25.5 million funding package aimed at enhancing the energy efficiency of voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across England. This initiative, part of the government's comprehensive support exceeding £100 million, seeks to alleviate the financial strain faced by frontline delivery organisations due to the escalating cost of living.
The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme comprises of two key elements. Firstly, eligible organisations can now apply for an independent energy assessment. This assessment, available until August 2024, facilitates the identification of potential energy-saving measures such as installing new features, optimising existing structures, or implementing changes in energy consumption practices. Importantly, organisations can benefit from this assessment even if they do not pursue the second element of the scheme.
The second element, due to open for applications in January 2024 and run until August 2024, involves capital grants. Organisations that have undergone an energy assessment may apply for financial support to implement the recommended energy efficiency measures in their premises. An eligibility checker is provided on the Groundwork UK website.
To qualify for an independent energy assessment, organisations must be based and operating in England, possess charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic purposes, deliver frontline services or operate a hub providing multiple frontline services, demonstrate the need for energy efficiency support, exhibit financial sustainability, and be ineligible for blended finance or loan support from other energy-focused schemes.
For capital grants, additional eligibility criteria will focus on the organisation's relationship to its building, evidence of the impact of requested energy measures, and prioritisation of those organisations where energy is a significant concern. Preference will be given to entities directly aiding individuals and communities with critical needs, particularly those linked to the rising cost of living, and with an annual turnover of less than £1 million.
Practical support will be extended to help organisations manage capital installation projects, with the requirement that all measures must be installed and paid for by March 2025. The scheme's website, www.groundwork.org.uk/vcseenergyefficiency, provides further information and resources for potential applicants.
