On 7 December, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport launched a £25.5 million funding package to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in England improve their energy efficiency.
Eligible organisations will be able to apply for an independent energy assessment and capital grants to install energy efficiency measures.
To apply for the second element, organisations not owning their premises will need to ask for their landlords’ permission. As many VCSE organisations lease their premises from councils, councils are encouraged to support their tenants in applying.
The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme will have 2 elements:
- Eligible organisations can apply for the cost and delivery of an independent energy assessment. This will help identify how to reduce bills through measures such as improving or installing new energy features in the building, or changing how energy is used. These assessments will be useful to organisations whether or not they apply for the second element.
This part of the scheme is now open for applications, and will remain open until August 2024. - Organisations with an energy assessment may then be eligible to apply for a capital grant to install the recommended energy efficiency measures in their premises.
This part of the scheme opened to applications in January 2024 and grant rounds will also run until August 2024.
