Funding opportunities

Great British Energy Community Fund

The Great British Energy Community Fund designed to help local communities across the UK transition to sustainable energy solutions and empower communities to take control of their energy needs, reduce carbon footprints, and create a greener, more sustainable future for all.

Further details about the Great British Energy Community Fund

Community Energy England

Community Energy England is a not-for-profit organisation that represents and supports the community energy sector. A comprehensive list of community energy funding and finance opportunities can be found on the Community Energy England website.

Find sources of funding for community energy projects via the Community Energy England website

Centre for Sustainable Energy

The Centre for Sustainable Energy is an independent national charity that shares its knowledge and experience to help people change the way they think and act on energy. A significant part of the organisation’s work is to support community groups who want to do something about climate change, energy or sustainability. Its website has information and resources dedicated to supporting these groups:

Guide to the different types of funding you can apply to for your community project or building

Guide to grants and funding for making your home more energy efficient and cheaper to heat

London Community Energy Fund

Community energy projects bring social, economic and environment benefits to London. The London Community Energy Fund has provided much-needed support to get community energy projects up and running. Four rounds of funding have been offered so far since 2017, which in total have allocated over £1 million to 86 projects.

More information about the London Community Energy Fund

Mayor of London support: Zero Carbon Accelerator

The Zero Carbon Accelerator offers a range of support to London‑based organisations, wherever they are on their journey to decarbonisation, from expert advice and training to knowledge sharing and finance. Helping London to meet its clean energy target by 2030.

Find out more about the Net Zero Accelerator

Mayor of London support: London Climate Finance Facility

The London Climate Finance Facility aims to unlock billions of long-term, flexible, private finance to support the decarbonisation of London’s buildings, energy and transport systems, thereby tackling the triple dangers of toxic air pollution, climate change and congestion. It also aims to accelerate significantly the development and delivery of climate and environmental projects, working with strategic partners, and finally to build on London’s existing financing capabilities to secure investment for London and strengthen its competitiveness.

Find out more about the London Climate Finance Facility

On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme

The purpose of the scheme is to increase the availability of on-street chargepoints in residential streets where off-street parking is not available, thereby ensuring that on-street parking is not a barrier to realising the benefits of owning an electric vehicle. The scheme gives local authorities access to grant funding that can be used to part-fund the procurement and installation of on-street electric vehicle chargepoint infrastructure for residential needs. The scheme is funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and administered by Energy Saving Trust, Cenex and PA Consulting.

Access the guidance for the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme for local authorities

Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund

The Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund supports local authorities in England to plan and deliver chargepoint infrastructure for residents without off-street parking. The Fund comprises capital funding to support chargepoint delivery, and capability funding to ensure that local authorities have the staff and capability to plan and deliver chargepoint infrastructure. The Fund is administered by the Energy Saving Trust.

Find out more about the Local EVI Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund

Electric Vehicle Workplace Charging Scheme

The Workplace Charging Scheme is a voucher-based scheme that provides support towards the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle chargepoints. The Scheme is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria. Funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Access the guidance for the Electric Vehicle Workplace Charging Scheme

Heat Networks Delivery Unit (HNDU)

The Heat Networks Delivery Unit provides grant funding and guidance to local authorities for the early stages of heat network development. This includes technical and economic feasibility and detailed project development. Registered social landlords, property developers, universities, and NHS trusts can also apply.

There is not a live funding round currently, but more information will be share on the HNDU page.

Find out more about Heat Networks Delivery Unit funding and guidance

Green Heat Network Fund

The Green Heat Network Fund is a £288m capital grant fund that provides support to organisations in the public and private sectors in England, for the development of new low and zero-carbon heat networks, and the retrofitting and expansion of existing heat networks.  The scheme is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and administered by Triple Point Heat Networks.

Find out when future rounds will be available

Heat Network Efficiency Scheme

The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) is a capital and revenue grant fund that supports improvements to existing district heating or communal heating projects. The scheme is open to public, private and third sector applicants in England and Wales. It is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and administered by Gemserv. The scheme is running multiple funding rounds.

To receive scheme updates, contact hnes@gemserv.com

Find out more about the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme

Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund

The government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund provides funding and support to UK businesses and researchers. Its aim is to strengthen UK science and business innovation to take on the biggest challenges that society and industry face today.

Challenges identified by the Fund are aligned with the four Grand Challenges set out in the government’s Industrial Strategy. One of the four is Clean Growth – economic development through the deployment of low carbon technologies and the efficient use of resources. The Fund, which is being delivered by UK Research and Innovation, is part of the government’s £4.7 billion increase in research and development over four years.

Find out more

MCS Charitable Foundation

The foundation funds projects that accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and low carbon technologies with a specific focus on scaling up the delivery of whole house retrofit (fabric and renewable technologies). Projects should have a UK-wide impact, either through having a national reach or through developing/demonstrating an innovative approach that could be replicated, adapted or scaled up.

Find out more

Local authorities which are signed up to Net Zero Go can access their live funding directory to find the latest funding opportunities available.