GRANTS OF UP TO £20,000 AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for the electricity distribution network that powers everyday life for 8 million customers, has opened its annual Community Partnering Fund for the fifth year to grant applications and has expanded it with allocations of up to £20,000 now available to community groups and grassroots organisations based in the North of England.

Delivered in partnership with Leeds Community Foundation, The Community Partnering Fund enables community groups to deliver schemes that tackle issues such as affordable warmth, energy efficiency and supporting net zero emissions. It helps local organisations to deliver schemes which tackle issues that support Northern Powergrid’s commitment to assisting communities beyond the role of its network.  They include:

• Alleviating hardship associated with fuel poverty and promoting energy efficiency.  Groups with initiatives which could include training, support and signposting that will better equip people to understand and manage energy usage are encouraged to apply.
• Supporting Community Hubs with crisis planning through initiatives that help communities confidently navigate and be more resilient to challenges including the impact of severe weather.
• Encouraging initiatives that develop learning pathways and support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects and related career opportunities for underrepresented and disadvantaged people.
• Supporting communities to lower their carbon footprint through initiatives that can help offering advice and support to individuals and communities to take practical steps, such as decarbonising premises, reducing waste, increasing recycling, improved energy use and management, encouraging local supply chains and services and raising awareness about new technology that can help people be energy smart.

Any successful groups as part of their initiatives will also be requested to encourage the sign posting and sign up of vulnerable people to join Northern Powergrid’s free Priority Services Membership, which offer additional advice and support to customers who may more vulnerable due to their personal or medical circumstances, and support the sharing of important electricity safety messaging.

The grants available range from £1k to £10k for one-year initiatives and up to £20,000 for two-year initiatives. Applications must be submitted by 12 noon on 2 August 2022.

To find out more and apply, go to https://www.leedscf.org.uk/community-partnering-fund-information/

Michelle Cummings, Northern Powergrid’s Social Responsibility Manager, said: “We know being a force for good goes beyond our network powering peoples’ lives. Our Community Partnering fund, which has been operating since 2018, is all about providing enduring support to organisations at the heart of the communities that we serve.

“Community group have a vital role and this fund can help enables them to champion local energy saving and decarbonisation initiative, tackle fuel poverty and support local people.”

Michelle added: “Whilst our network costs remain at just 25 a day for the average domestic customer and a small portion of the bill from their chosen supplier, we know that increased energy supply costs are creating hardship for some of the people in the communities we serve.  We hope this fund can provide further support to those who need it most and we urge community groups across the region to take action and apply.”

Kate Hainsworth, CEO of Leeds Community Foundation, said: “We are pleased once again to be working with our long-standing partner Northern Powergrid. Over the years the fund has helped distribute more than £250k to community organisations across the region, supporting thousands of local people.  With the expansion of the fund to include the option to secure up to a £20,000 grant, it could make a real difference and help some innovative community groups deliver more ambitious project that will help more people.”