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New community grant scheme
A new environmental initiative is offering community groups the chance to share in a £50,000 grants jackpot.
The Community Chest grant scheme has been launched by electricity company Western Power Distribution (WPD) in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) who will administer the initiative and provide expert advice and support.
Community groups within WPD's distribution area which covers South and West Wales and the South West of England, can apply for the cash help, as Tracy Carr, the company's Community Liaison Officer explained.
"The Community Chest scheme is designed to help a range of groups take simple but effective energy efficiency measures to not only reduce their energy costs but also reduce the carbon emissions of the buildings they use for their activities."
It will enable community groups to insulate loft spaces, install energy monitors, insulate windows and doors, fit effective heating controls and install low energy lighting. The maximum award for each successful group will be £1,000.
Janine Michael, Head of Development for CSE said: "We are delighted that WPD approached us to help them design and run this important new scheme. Energy efficiency measures - such as insulation and improved heating controls - should be the bread and butter for any carbon saving scheme, with renewable energy technologies added as the jam. Yet until now there have been very few places community groups could go to fund these basic improvements."
CSE have put together a simple application process along with some energy survey guidance notes for interested groups. Please visit the CSE website www.cse.org.uk/wpdcc for further information and click on the WPD Community Chest link to download an application form and energy survey audit form.
Added Tracy Carr: "Our community buildings are often the backbone of our towns and villages. They can support a wide range of activities for people of all ages and they have a positive impact on local people. So we would encourage all non-profit making community groups to take a look at the website and apply for one of the grants. They could be a few clicks away from a grant which can support their local community building and save them money."