Community businesses across England can now apply for funding of between £10,000 and £150,000 to help reduce their energy costs. The funding, which is a mix of grants (up to 40%) and loans at 6.5% interest, can be used to cut energy use, lower bills, and improve the sustainability of community buildings. Support is available for projects such as installing solar panels or heat pumps, upgrading insulation, lighting, or heating systems, and fitting energy monitoring technology. Eligible applicants must own their premises or hold a lease of at least 12 years and have been declined by a bank for commercial finance. Energy audit grants of £500–£2,500 are also available to identify potential improvements. The fund is delivered by Key Fund and financed by Power to Change through the Energy Resilience Fund. Funding to Help Community Businesses Cut Energy Costs (England)
sobus
20 Dawes Road, London, SW6 7EN
Telephone 020 7952 1230
Email info@sobus.org.uk
Registered Charity No.1071089
and Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No.03471416
Sobus is a new Community Development Agency for Hammersmith & Fulham. It has been created through the merger of the Community and Voluntary Sector Association Hammersmith & Fulham (CaVSA) and the Fulham Community Partnership Trust (FCPT). Building on the strengths of both organisations, sobus aims to provide a wider range of support services for local charities, community groups, social enterprises and start up businesses.