We help cut carbon, reduce energy bills, raise awareness of climate action and support communities through local grants
What is Community Benefit?
Since 2011, we have channelled over £13.4 million into clean energy infrastructure, bringing 25 solar projects online with a combined capacity of 12 megawatts – enough to power 4,500 homes a year.
But our impact goes far beyond electricity generation. So what does this look like?
Community benefit funding to date
Number of megawatt projects funded
Cutting carbon emissions
With every project we build, we are providing meaningful cuts in carbon emissions and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Combined, our solar projects save nearly 12,000 tonnes of carbon over 25 years, equivalent to around 0.25% of the net carbon uptake by all UK forests per year.
This is good for our partners and supports their wider work too.
Our biggest solar array put The Bottle Yard 2 Studios (TYB2 centre stage in their sector for sustainability, and our award-winning installation at Bristol Beacon is contributing towards a greener music industry. Among the many community groups we support through our grants, St Barnabas Church in Knowle is lighting the way for a wider decarbonisation project for their much-used community space.
Lower Energy Bills
Cutting carbon emissions is also good for your pocket.
With the rising cost of living, we’re proud to be helping our rooftop sites make significant reductions in their energy bills. This year our host sites will have saved a total of £120,200 in energy bills. Installing energy efficiency measures like LED lighting and insulation also helps local organisations save money through our community benefit grants.
We also hope that in the future we will be able to introduce local energy clubs that would give local people the chance to buy energy from a project at a reduced cost.
Informing and educating
We don’t just develop energy projects, we build relationships.
As well as putting local people at the heart of decision-making, we support a range of community engagement activities aimed at strengthening local ownership and nurturing wider support for the renewable energy sector.
We work with fellow community energy experts Bristol Energy Network to deliver energy efficiency helpdesks and bespoke community events for people living near our sites.
We also work with the Centre for Sustainable Energy to co-host Future Energy Landscapes, a series of workshops exploring what landscape means to local people and what communities can do to build renewable energy projects serving their needs.
We pride ourselves on delivering careful and considered engagement with local people ahead as we plan potential projects. When successful projects are complete, we work with people who use the buildings and live in the area to provide workshops, energy efficiency help-desks or other activities to suit their needs.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT funds
To help do this, we manage an annual grant scheme called Megawatt Community Energy Fund with fellow community energy organisation Low Carbon Gordano. Members of both coops, as well as community representatives, participate on the panel.
ALW are a resident-driven organisation striving to make Lawrence Weston an even better place to live and work.
We continue to contribute revenue from the solar farm to ALW each year. ALW has used these funds to run intern-led projects on fuel poverty, co-ordinating energy surveys for residents, and supporting them to switch energy supplier. It also employed an energy consultant to lead on its own ambitious community energy project: a 100% community-owned onshore wind turbine, the tallest in England.
We have also funded Bristol Energy Network over £30,000 to host energy helpdesks and other community engagement activities in Bristol from 2022-2025.
MEGAWATT COMMUNITY ENERGY FUND
We set up the Megawatt Community Energy Fund in 2017 as a way to help local groups find funding for carbon reduction/environmental projects in their local community.
In 2019 our neighbouring community energy coop Low Carbon Gordano joined us in contributing revenues into the Fund. Members of both organisations participate in choosing which applicants receive grant support.
The Fund is managed by Quartet Community Foundation and grants of up to £4,000 are typically available.
The Megawatt Community Energy Fund 2026 is now closed.
PAST MEGAWATT FUND AWARDEES
As people continue to struggle with rising energy bills, we were proud to provide more important community work with funding in 2025. This year we received 36 applications, with a request total of around £136,400, and allocated funding to 15.
All-Aboard Watersports
Toward the replacement of two petrol engines that are reaching the end of their life with new electric engines, for the group’s biggest most used and most accessible boat.
Green Schools Project
To fund a Community Climate Action Manager role in Bristol to support youth-led climate action in schools and inspire wider community engagement and carbon reduction.
A Single Thread CIC
To empower and upskill young people from disadvantaged communities with accessible practical actions that they can take to reduce their fossil fuel consumption in relation to their clothing habits.
Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust
For community food growing sessions and workshops at Buzz Community Garden in Lockleaze, co-designed with the community to encourage and increase local climate action, carbon savings and nature connection.
Voluntary Action North Somerset
Toward the cost of secondary glazing for windows and to draught proof doors to improve the energy efficiency of the group’s offices, reducing the group’s energy costs and carbon emissions.
Talking Money
Toward the group’s Money advice service which provides support, information and advocacy to Bristol residents including understanding energy bills, reducing energy usage, switching providers/tariffs, reducing indebtedness and applications for energy efficiency grants.
Bristol North West Foodbank
To make Bristol North West Foodbank’s office and warehouse venue more energy efficient, reducing their carbon emissions and making their services more cost effective to run.
South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau
Toward the delivery of the Energy Advice Programme which delivers bespoke advice to clients vulnerable to fuel poverty so they can reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions.
Sea Mills Community Initiatives
To install a small shelter for rainwater harvesting and group activities at this community garden site.
Lockleaze Community Orchard
To fund the materials needed to build three large raised beds, built and used by local residents to grow food for the local community, encouraging the reduction of carbon emissions from transporting food.
Heart of BS13
To support a Closed Loop Compost Coordinator role, enabling the group to deliver community workshops, compost tours, and raise awareness of sustainable waste and soil health solutions.
Groundwork South Trust
To promote sustainable travel choices and reduce emissions, in partnership with Life Cycle, focusing on supporting disadvantaged communities and those facing additional barriers to engage in cycling.
Bristol Food Network
Toward the expansion of the group’s work supporting and promoting community food growing in Bristol, engaging more residents in food growing and delivering increased environmental benefits.
South Gloucestershire Community Energy Network
Toward the Warm for Winter “Trains the Trainers” project, which will train a number of climate action and sustainable energy groups across South Gloucestershire so they can provide advice to local residents on energy efficiency measures and how to pursue safer and more sustainable homes.
Share Bristol
To provide extra weekly Library of Things lending sessions, that facilitate the sharing of domestic resources and equipment, thereby reducing waste and carbon emissions.
This year we received 19 applications with requests totalling over £70k. With a total fund of just over £40k for grants of up to £4k, some tough decisions had to be made. The projects were a wonderful snapshot of the amazing work happening in Bristol and beyond to address the climate crisis, including sustainable transport, reducing food miles and education projects.
Climate Action Thornbury and Surrounding Areas
For Initial community engagement work in support of the Thornbury 100 Homes Project encouraging residents to apply energy efficiency measures to their homes.
Eco-Centre CBS Limited
To deliver a community-led energy-saving programme combining outreach, volunteer champions and a digital platform to reduce fuel poverty and household carbon emissions.
Green Schools Project
Toward a Bristol-based Community Climate Action Coordinator, to coordinate extra-curricular climate action and community partnerships linking Bristol schools with climate action focused local organisations.
Global Goals Centre
To deliver sustainability education activities, repair workshops and second-hand uniform pop-ups as part of a youth-led ‘Better Uniforms Campaign’, helping schools and families reduce carbon emissions and textile waste.
Life Cycle UK
Toward refurbishing unwanted bikes, saving them from landfill, to sell affordably, or give to people in transport poverty, unlocking low-carbon travel for Bristol’s communities.
Pill Community Foundation
To set up the Pill Community Supper Club and host educational events with a climate action focus to support residents to reduce food waste and their carbon footprint.
Share Bristol
Toward subsidising memberships to enable families on low income to access Share Bristol’s Library of Things to ensure an inclusive and fair transition to a more sustainable city.
South Gloucestershire Community Energy Network
To develop a viable business model to enable community-owned solar PV installations on village halls and small community buildings across South Gloucestershire.
Talking Money
Toward providing money advice for people in fuel poverty across Bristol and surrounding areas, including advice on understanding energy bills, and reducing energy usage.
Windmill Hill City Farm
Toward retrofitting the Outdoor Learning team?s multi-use space to make it more energy efficient, reducing carbon emissions and enable energy and food education workshops to continue running.
As people continue to struggle with rising energy bills, we were proud to provide more important community work with funding in 2025. This year we received 36 applications, with a request total of around £136,400, and allocated funding to 15.
All-Aboard Watersports
Toward the replacement of two petrol engines that are reaching the end of their life with new electric engines, for the group’s biggest most used and most accessible boat.
Green Schools Project
To fund a Community Climate Action Manager role in Bristol to support youth-led climate action in schools and inspire wider community engagement and carbon reduction.
A Single Thread CIC
To empower and upskill young people from disadvantaged communities with accessible practical actions that they can take to reduce their fossil fuel consumption in relation to their clothing habits.
Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust
For community food growing sessions and workshops at Buzz Community Garden in Lockleaze, co-designed with the community to encourage and increase local climate action, carbon savings and nature connection.
Voluntary Action North Somerset
Toward the cost of secondary glazing for windows and to draught proof doors to improve the energy efficiency of the group’s offices, reducing the group’s energy costs and carbon emissions.
Talking Money
Toward the group’s Money advice service which provides support, information and advocacy to Bristol residents including understanding energy bills, reducing energy usage, switching providers/tariffs, reducing indebtedness and applications for energy efficiency grants.
Bristol North West Foodbank
To make Bristol North West Foodbank’s office and warehouse venue more energy efficient, reducing their carbon emissions and making their services more cost effective to run.
South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau
Toward the delivery of the Energy Advice Programme which delivers bespoke advice to clients vulnerable to fuel poverty so they can reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions.
Sea Mills Community Initiatives
To install a small shelter for rainwater harvesting and group activities at this community garden site.
Lockleaze Community Orchard
To fund the materials needed to build three large raised beds, built and used by local residents to grow food for the local community, encouraging the reduction of carbon emissions from transporting food.
Heart of BS13
To support a Closed Loop Compost Coordinator role, enabling the group to deliver community workshops, compost tours, and raise awareness of sustainable waste and soil health solutions.
Groundwork South Trust
To promote sustainable travel choices and reduce emissions, in partnership with Life Cycle, focusing on supporting disadvantaged communities and those facing additional barriers to engage in cycling.
Bristol Food Network
Toward the expansion of the group’s work supporting and promoting community food growing in Bristol, engaging more residents in food growing and delivering increased environmental benefits.
South Gloucestershire Community Energy Network
Toward the Warm for Winter “Trains the Trainers” project, which will train a number of climate action and sustainable energy groups across South Gloucestershire so they can provide advice to local residents on energy efficiency measures and how to pursue safer and more sustainable homes.
Share Bristol
To provide extra weekly Library of Things lending sessions, that facilitate the sharing of domestic resources and equipment, thereby reducing waste and carbon emissions.
Eco-Centre CBS Limited
To deliver a community-led energy-saving programme combining outreach, volunteer champions and a digital platform to reduce fuel poverty and household carbon emissions.
Emersons and Lyde Community Energy CIC
For a Green Open Homes Day event where local people can visit homes with energy upgrades to meet the owners, hear their stories, and get inspiration.
Green Schools Project
Toward a Bristol-based Community Climate Action Coordinator, to coordinate extra-curricular climate action and community partnerships linking Bristol schools with climate action focused local organisations.
Global Goals Centre
To deliver sustainability education activities, repair workshops and second-hand uniform pop-ups as part of a youth-led ‘Better Uniforms Campaign’, helping schools and families reduce carbon emissions and textile waste.
Life Cycle UK
Toward refurbishing unwanted bikes, saving them from landfill, to sell affordably, or give to people in transport poverty, unlocking low-carbon travel for Bristol’s communities.
Pill Community Foundation
To set up the Pill Community Supper Club and host educational events with a climate action focus to support residents to reduce food waste and their carbon footprint.
Share Bristol
Toward subsidising memberships to enable families on low income to access Share Bristol’s Library of Things to ensure an inclusive and fair transition to a more sustainable city.
South Gloucestershire Community Energy Network
To develop a viable business model to enable community-owned solar PV installations on village halls and small community buildings across South Gloucestershire.
Talking Money
Toward providing money advice for people in fuel poverty across Bristol and surrounding areas, including advice on understanding energy bills, and reducing energy usage.
Windmill Hill City Farm
Toward retrofitting the Outdoor Learning team?s multi-use space to make it more energy efficient, reducing carbon emissions and enable energy and food education workshops to continue running.
Requests have increased year-on-year, as the cost of living bites and other sources of support dry up. Against a backdrop of hardship, we are very proud to be helping hold up these vital services that hold our communities together.
Eastside Community Trust
Toward installing energy efficiency measures room by room at Easton Community Centre and Felix Road Adventure Playground two important community facilities in the Easton area.
St Barnabas Church, Filwood Park Parish
Toward decarbonising St Barnabas Church building by improving energy efficiency of this building which is used to provide a wide range of community support services.
Life Cycle UK
Toward the group’s bike refurbishment scheme in prisons, that saves bicycles from landfill, recycling them into safe and smooth new bikes, sold affordably, or given away, to people on low incomes.
Avonmouth Community Centre Association
Toward the replacement of doors and windows to increase the energy efficiency of the building of this important community centre in Avonmouth.
Stokes Croft Land Trust
Toward the cost of installing solar panels on the group’s building which is used for a variety of community benefit activities, that benefit people in and around the Stokes Croft area.
Redcatch Community Garden
Toward the cost of installing solar panels on the roofs of the cabins at this community garden project that provides important community support services for local residents.
Winscombe Community Association
Toward the installation of electric charging points at this community centre which has a strong focus on encouraging local people and other communities to take action on climate change.
Zero Carbon North Somerset
Toward the development of the charity’s climate and environmental work across North Somerset including the setup of a ‘Library of Things’ that can lend useful items to community groups reducing there need to buy items and so cutting waste and emissions.
Windmill Hill City Farm
To develop a new, engaging climate action education workshop and deliver it to 600 children each year and produce public interpretation boards on reducing carbon impact.
Global Goals Centre
Toward the ongoing costs of the ‘Department of Energy’ in Sparks Bristol, which engages the public with energy-saving resources, fuel poverty advice and help-desk sessions from energy experts.
Talking Money
Toward advice and advocacy to people in poverty including understanding energy bills, reducing energy usage, switching providers, reducing overall indebtedness and applications for energy efficiency grants.
Share Bristol CIC
Toward the ongoing costs of this Library of Things, which lends out useful household items to local residents reducing the need for local people to buy these items and so cutting waste and emissions.
In the wake of the energy and cost of living crises, the Megawatt Community Energy Fund continues to provide vital support for communities. The total amount awarded in 2023 was £37,525.
Bristol Food Producers Network Limited
For the refurbishment and upgrade of a cargo electric trike to be used for the delivery of vegetables from a Hengrove-based community market garden to food banks and members of a local community veg bag scheme.
CHEESE Project – Cold Homes Energy Efficiency Survey Experts
To provide 10 free thermal imaging surveys for householders identified as living in fuel poverty and to subsequently assist them with applying for remedial work in their homes.
Eastside Community Trust
Toward replacing the lighting in Easton Community Centre with energy-efficient LED fittings to reduce the centre’s carbon emissions, save money and demonstrate best practices for visitors and building tenants.
Eco-Centre CBS Limited
For an innovative outreach project helping people in Bridgewater save carbon and live more sustainably by helping individuals and communities to draw up tailored action plans and collective schemes.
Friends of Jubilee Pool
For a feasibility study for solar panels (PV) and a solar thermal system, and project planning for the replacement of the air handling unit (AHU) at the community-owned swimming pool.
Heart of BS13
For training for the Heart of BS13 e-cargo bike rider team to learn mechanical maintenance and servicing skills in support of the group’s mobile fresh food shop and green-waste collection and composting services that operate in Hartcliffe and Withywood.
Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust
For a gardener to deliver a programme of community food and nature growing sessions including weekly open sessions that will focus on permaculture gardening with no dig to avoid releasing trapped carbon and sessions that will involve conversations about the Lockleaze climate action plan.
Trinity Community Arts Ltd
To develop the current garden programme which consists of Forest School Activities and Nature Play Activities to teach children and parents Green Skills and other practical skills, while also teaching them about climate change and sustainable living.
Wellspring Settlement
Toward the installation of energy-efficient lighting in the Wellspring Settlement building that provides important community services in the Lawrence Hill area.
Yatton Village Hall Management Committee
For the replacement of fluorescent lighting battens with LED equivalent units, to reduce the hall’s carbon emissions and save on energy costs.
In the midst of an energy crisis and rising cost of living, the Megawatt Community Energy Fund is as important as ever. Together with Low Carbon Gordano, we distributed £42,000 in grants to fantastic local green initiatives.
All-Aboard Watersports
Toward replacing one of the group’s petrol outboard engines with an electric engine outboard that runs on a rechargeable battery, which will serve as a pilot for the replacement of all the group’s petrol outboard engines.
Badgworth Schoolroom Management Committee
Toward the installation of solar panels and a battery to store solar energy at this community centre.
Berrow Community Association Limited
To install solar panels on the roof of the Village Hall as well as a storage battery.
Empowering Futures –Toward developing a programme of activities that will educate children with disabilities about the effects of global warming, involving tree planting, gardening, cooking and forestry activities.
Knowle West Media Centre
To engage carbon consultants to assess how best to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the running of the group’s building, and to provide a recommendation for future action.
Life Cycle UK
To purchase bike tools and equipment for the Bike Recycling Project, which fixes old, broken bikes and returns them to the community at affordable prices or for free.
Portishead Primary
To replace existing classroom lighting with energy-efficient LED lighting as part of a phased 4-year project to replace the lighting throughout the school.
Re:Work
To offer open access training and advice for people living in fuel poverty, helping people to make their homes more energy efficient and cheaper to heat.
Southmead Development Trust
Toward upgrading the Greenway Centre’s main hall lighting to energy-efficient LED lighting.
Tickenham Village Hall Management Committee
Toward the installation of a significantly more efficient LED lighting system, reducing the energy consumption of Tickenham Village Hall.
Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh
For the cost of additional design and planning work to answer questions raised by the Environment Agency in relation to a planned micro-hydro energy plant at the mill.
Windmill Hill City Farm
To install LED lighting, efficient hand dryers and low flow taps at Hartcliffe City Farm, reducing fossil fuel consumption as the farm works toward becoming Carbon Zero.
Zero Carbon North Somerset
Toward the cost of a website, holding meetings and events, and creating support information to help develop the profile, capacity and reach of the group which promotes knowledge and understanding of climate change in North Somerset.
Heart of BS13
To undertake a feasibility study to devise a ‘closed loop’ composting system for BS13 to make green and food waste from local households into organic compost.
Bristol Disability Equality Forum
A contribution toward the cost of additional work that expands on the group’s existing work creating a climate action plan for the disabled community in Bristol.
Bristol Green Capital Partnership
Toward the cost of producing a radio show and community workshop which form part of the Black and Green Ambassadors project, which seeks to connect, empower and celebrate diverse leadership and community action on environmental issues in Bristol and beyond.
Weston super Mare & District Chamber Of Commerce
To provide a set of ‘curry and conversation’ events that will focus on raising awareness and understanding of climate change and improving carbon literacy to measure and reduce fossil fuel consumption.
APE Project CIC
For a Permaculture Worker to support the ‘Food for Thought’ sustainable food growing project working with children at St Pauls Adventure Playground.
Long Ashton Growers Community Cooperative
Toward the cost of installing a fruit cage enclosure so the group can maximise their fruit crop, in turn reducing the purchase by members of fruit from retailers that have a high carbon footprint.
Long Ashton Nature, Community & Environment Trust (LANCET)
To create a community wildflower meadow on former arable land leased from Bristol University’s Fenswood Farm, Long Ashton, to capture carbon, increase biodiversity and improve soil health.
Meadow Vale Community Association
A contribution toward the cost of installing solar panels on an extension to the existing community centre.
Community Trees Wick
Toward planting fruit trees in Brockwell Park Community Orchard to provide a source of local produce and increase carbon sequestration.
Clevedon YMCA
To replace strip lighting in the sports hall with easier to maintain and more energy efficient lighting as part of an overall plan for this youth service provider to become more energy efficient.
Congresbury Scouts and Guides
Toward replacing entrance doors for the scout hut to improve its thermal efficiency as part of a wider project of reducing the carbon footprint of the scout hut.
Pretoria Road Allotment Society
For the installation of water harvesting units to reduce the use of mains fed water to the site and reduce the sites carbon footprint.
Ujima Radio
Toward the production of eight Megawatt Takeover shows as part of the Green & Black Project that aim to create awareness of climate change its solutions and how to reduce its impact, targeting individuals underrepresented in the green sector, particularly Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Life Cycle UK
To install cycle stands for free for community organisations/enterprises in Bristol with the aim of encouraging people to travel by bicycle.
St Werburghs Community Association
For the replacement of the main entrance lobby lighting with LED fittings to help reduce the carbon footprint and improve the sustainability of this well used community centre.
Friends of Hannah More Primary School
Toward ‘Gardening for Good’, a family project that seeks to improve the local environment and involve local people in growing produce in the centre of Bristol.
The Haven
To offer conversation sessions and practical activities for vulnerable groups focusing on mitigating the effects of climate change, tackling climate change anxiety and building resilient communities.
North Somerset Enterprise Agency
Toward the development of a series of talks to raise awareness of business impact on climate and guide North Somerset small business owners in making more ethical and sustainable choices.
Groundwork South Trust
For a set of environmental awareness sessions and sustainability sessions for the benefit of Lockleaze families that will encourage families to become more environmentally aware, reduce their fuel consumption, reduce food waste, eat more locally produced food and travel more sustainably.
Somerset Film and Video Ltd
To install double glazing in the shop front windows of the group’s studio and workshop spaces which will serve to reduce the running costs of this community media centre and help to make the charity more sustainable.
A Place of Possibility
Toward the cost of replacing a gas boiler in the nursery annex of Easton Community Centre with an electric boiler connected to on-site renewable energy sources.
Southmead Development Trust
To reestablish walking groups in the Southmead area and produce a walking map that will contain information about energy saving and climate change issues.
This second round was held in 2019 in partnership with neighbouring community energy cooperative Low Carbon Gordano. Bristol Energy Cooperative contributed £25,000 to this round, and 30 applications were received. Members of Bristol Energy Cooperative and Low Carbon Gordano were asked to vote for their top applications in an online poll, and the final 14 successful applications were selected by a panel of representatives of both organisations.
APE Project CIC
Toward the set-up of weekly environmental awareness sessions at the playground with a focus on improving air quality and increasing bio diversity in the local area.
Bedminster Energy Group
Toward a community asset mapping and engagement project, with the aim of improving the way the group focuses its efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption in an inclusive way.
Bristol Community Land Trust
Toward one of two ground source heat pumps that will serve a new build Community Learning and Enterprise Centre in Lockleaze Bristol.
Clevedon Community Association
Toward the cost of replacing the boiler at this well used community centre with an energy efficient model that will help reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Congresbury Scouts and Guides
For the purchase and installation of a learning thermostat to replace the group’s existing rotary thermostat and boiler programmer, that will help the group reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Crockerne Primary School
Toward the cost of installing new LED lighting fittings and bulbs at the school to help the school reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Incredible Edible
For the planting of fruit trees at community garden sites across the region, to be planted as part of an increasing urban city wide orchard, with the aim of raising awareness of climate change and reducing fossil fuel consumption by increasing local food production.
Life Cycle UK
For the cost of additional workshop equipment and parts to increase the capacity of the the Bristol Bike Back project, which provided accredited mechanical training for prisoners at HMP Bristol and sells refurbished bicycles to local people, encouraging the increased use of of low carbon transport.
Lockleaze Community Orchard
Toward the cost of installing rain water capture and storage system on a community orchard site in Lockleaze, with the aim of reducing fossil fuel consumption by reducing the distance food is transported.
Nailsea School
Toward the cost of replacing fluorescent tube light fittings with energy efficient LED ceiling panels that will help the school to reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Sea Mills Community Initiatives
Toward the cost of providing food growing after school club sessions, materials and equipment to set-up a permaculture focused forage garden trail and hot composting at the community garden site that will serve the local community cafe, with the aim of raising awareness of ways to reduce the impact of climate change and helping reduce fossil fuel consumption.
The ReUsery
Toward the cost of a pilot set of open access sessions to teach and promote re-use skills, especially sewing and upcycling, with the aim of reducing energy demands and fostering a culture of self-help and re-use
Ujima Radio
Toward the production of a set of a monthly radio shows exclusively devoted to environmental issues as they impact on Black and Minority Ethnic populations, that aim to raise awareness of climate change, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and reduce fuel poverty.
Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh
Toward the cost of a feasibility study for installing a mini hydro scheme at the mill, with the aim of raising awareness of ways to reduce the impact of climate change and reduce fossil fuel consumption.
The first round of Bristol Energy Cooperative’s Megawatt Community Energy Fund closed in September 2017. It received over 30 applications, with up to £50,000 available. The successful projects were selected by a member vote and panel:
Buzz Lockleaze
To deliver a series of 4 energy awareness feasts that will promote and facilitate community action in relation to energy issues in the Lockleaze area.
The C.H.E.E.S.E. Project (Cold Homes Energy Efficiency Survey Experts)
Toward staffing costs to support the continuation and expansion of the C.H.E.E.S.E. Project, providing heat surveys which enable local residents to reduce domestic heat loss to achieve warmer homes and a cooler planet.
Redcatch Community Garden
Toward the cost of a poly-tunnel, volunteer costs and overheads for this community garden which grows and sells food locally, and promotes healthy and sustainable eating in the Knowle area.
Awaz Utaoh
To work in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy to provide Energy Awareness Days for older women from the South Asian community and provide translations of energy efficiency information that can be shared with other community groups.
Hartcliffe Health & Environment Action Group
Toward the cost of the Re-create workshops, working in the Hartcliffe area to provide a series of community art and crafts sessions focusing on re-purposing waste or second-hand materials. The sessions will help introduce people to small creative steps they can make to have a positive environmental impact in their home and local community.
Re:Work
Toward the cost of continuing the re:draught scheme, providing heat surveys for 10 households and energy efficiency advice to a separate 50 households in the Knowle West area.
Southville Community Development Association
To install solar panels at the the Chessel Community Centre, based in Southville.
APE Project CIC
For the annual cost of an apprentice, to support the Children’s Bike Exchange (CBE) in St Paul’s Adventure Playground. The CBE fixes and safety checks unwanted children’s bikes which can then be swapped for free or at a very low cost for outgrown or damaged kids bikes in the community
Bristol Community Land Trust
Toward the cost of support from Bioregional’s BEPIT team to enhance the monitoring, training and learning from Bristol Community Land Trust’s affordable low carbon community housing project in Lockleaze.
South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau
To provide specialist energy information and advice to vulnerable people in South Gloucestershire, and a range of interventions aimed at reducing energy use and fuel poverty.
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