Bristol City Leap is excited to announce that 15 projects have successfully secured funding in the second round of the £1.5 million Community Energy Fund. This funding round, designed to support community-led energy projects, continues to build on Bristol’s commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.
Successful applicants have received grants to decarbonise their local communities, with over £300,000 awarded in this round. The organisations receiving funding in this round include a diverse range of community groups from Windmill Hill City Farm, Woodlands Church Family, BS3 Community Development, SS Great Britain Trust and many more, with projects focusing on areas such as feasibility studies on energy generation and retrofit, installation for solar panels as well as a school programme that empowers young people to learn about climate change while designing and leading projects to reduce their schools’ carbon footprints.
“By investing in community-driven energy projects, we are empowering Bristol’s residents to take meaningful action toward decarbonisation. The success of these 15 projects will inspire even more change across the city. We are committed to working with stakeholders across Bristol and the Community Energy Fund is a great example of what we can offer when we create long-term partnerships based on outcomes with our customers.” said Mark Apsey MBE, Senior Vice President at Ameresco.
“We’re proud to support so many incredible projects that are empowering communities to take control of their energy use. The variety of heat related initiatives, whether focused on heat generation or connections, highlights that community heat will continue to thrive and expand in the city.” added Dominic Barton, Director of Heat Networks, Bristol at Vattenfall Heat UK.
The £1.5 million Community Energy Fund, created through contributions of £750,000 each from Ameresco and Vattenfall, is a vital component of Bristol City Leap’s effort to support sustainable energy initiatives across the city. By offering financial support to community organisations, the fund aims to reduce fossil fuel use, enable connections to the Bristol heat network, and encourage energy reduction and efficiency in local communities.
The Third Round of Funding is Now Open
With the conclusion of the second round, Bristol City Leap is pleased to announce that the third round of Community Energy Fund applications is officially open. Community groups, charities, faith organisations, and other eligible entities across Bristol (BS1–BS16) are encouraged to apply for grants and zero-interest loans to support their decarbonisation efforts.
Councillor Martin Fodor, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the next round of funding and see more communities driving Bristol’s decarbonisation efforts. Meeting our climate goals requires action at every level, big and small, and this fund is designed to empower communities to play their part. Whether it’s through energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy projects, these initiatives will help us make real progress toward a sustainable future, together.”
Applicants will have around six months to submit their projects, with a deadline set for mid-March. The decision panel will convene in April 2025. This provides ample time for organisations to develop proposals that align with the fund’s objectives of reducing carbon emissions, supporting community-led energy initiatives, and fostering long-term resilience to climate change.
About the Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund
The Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund is part of our commitment to delivering social value and advancing decarbonisation across the city. The fund supports a wide range of community energy projects, including low carbon building improvements, renewable energy installations, and initiatives to reduce energy consumption. Any profits generated from our loans will be reinvested into the fund to sustain future initiatives.
We invite all interested community groups and organisations to apply and join us on Bristol’s journey to a better, more sustainable future. For more information on how to apply, please visit https://www.bristolcityleap.co.uk/community/community-energy-fund/.
