We’re pleased to announce that on the successful completion of our fund-raise a community benefit fund of £100,000 will be available for local community groups.
Community groups can contribute ideas about how the fund should be spent or register interest in applying to the fund. Email: communityfund@bristolenergy.coop
You’re all invited to an event to find out more about us, the community fund and investment opportunities on 29 February 5.30 to 7.30pm at Source Café, Bristol.Where does the community fund come from?
Profits from our solar projects are reinvested into this community benefit fund and we encourage you to register your interest in applying. At a time when community funding is at a premium, this is a valuable opportunity for local people, and yet another good reason for backing our #OwnIt campaign.
£1.25 million has been raised in just a few months and there are still plenty of opportunities for people to join the scheme and fully realise the potential of this opportunity.
The fund-raise will finance a portfolio of projects to bring more clean, community energy to the Bristol region and Somerset through the development of a solar farm near Lawrence Weston, the installation of solar panels on community buildings across Bristol and finance a solar farm near Puriton, which is already constructed and generating clean electricity.
Bristol 2015 legacy – it really doesn’t stop here
With benefits to the community, local economy and environment, BEC is helping to shape up the Bristol 2015 legacy ‘It doesn’t stop here’. It is projected that in addition £70,000 per year will then flow from Bristol Energy Cooperative projects into the fund. The funds will be used for community projects that reflect our core values and positive impact.
Early investment
To ensure the community can benefit from this £100,000, BEC is calling on local people to get involved in the fund-raise. There are incentives for early investment; those who invest before noon 29 February will accrue interest from 1 March.
As well as knowing their money is doing good and helping community projects on their doorstep, investors can earn interest at a rate of 6% per annum in our bond offer* and 5% in the share offer.
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Chris Speller, co-director of BEC, said:
“This is a significant moment in our fund-raise, as we have passed the £1 million mark and start to see the planned projects becoming a reality – our solar farm in Puriton is already generating electricity and solar panels have been installed on two community buildings in Bristol.
“We urge people to keep up the momentum and back their community to ensure that this £100,000 benefit fund can help make a difference locally. As Bristol 2015 officially ends, BEC is taking on its legacy to make the city and the South West a happier, healthier, more sustainable place to live. Our fund-raise is all about being part of the solution at a local level – by the community, for the community.”
What are you doing with your extra day this leap year?
We’re inviting you to do good with their extra day this leap year and come along to their event to find out more about you can get involved.
- Monday 29 February, 5.30 to 7.30pm
- The Source Café Bristol, 1-3 Exchange Ave. St Nicholas Market. Bristol, Bristol BS1 1JW
RSVP here and bring your friends!
Register interest in the community fund
Further details about how to apply for the fund will be available soon. To find out more about the BEC community fund, email: communityfund@bristolenergy.coop.
How to invest
Investors can apply via a share offer or bond offer on the Ethex website, an online investment platform which specialises in positive and ethical investments.
*Risk Warning
The value of an investment may go up as well as down. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. An investment in the bond offer carries risk and you may lose the whole value of your investment. Please consider this carefully in the context of the complete share and bond offer documents and related information, and if needed, seek independent advice.
Investment decisions must only be made on the basis of the share and bond offer documents. Your original investment capital may be at risk and any return on your investment depends on the success of Bristol Energy Cooperative’s business as a whole. You should read the offer documents in full, including the risk factors set out in the offer documents, and the terms and conditions regarding this offer at ethex.org.uk before investing. You should consider taking appropriate financial and other advice before making any investment decision
