Smart Energy GB in Communities Fund Opens for Applications

The Smart Energy GB in Communities programme is part of Smart Energy GB’s campaign to inform and inspire people about smart meters and the benefits they can bring.

There are two levels of funding in 2021:

Grants of between £15,000 and £25,000 for organisations reaching people who are offline: adults who have no personal internet access anywhere, both inside and out of the home, including use via mobile devices

Grants of between £7,500 and £10,000 for organisations reaching people on a low income, defined as having an annual household income of less than £14,000 before tax.

The panel are looking for projects which:

Use a combination of direct and indirect activities to engage the target group on the subject of smart meters, including face to face advice; advice given by an individual over the phone/online; events, advertising, distributing or displaying information, etc.

Reflect a clear understanding of the objectives of the programme and how the activities they will deliver respond to those objectives.

Represent good value for money.

Show strong links into the relevant target group and clear established relationships with other local networks to enhance reach and engagement to the target group.

Can demonstrate how they will engage the target group either through innovative approaches or by building on existing work.

Acknowledging the challenges which coronavirus/COVID-19 present, the scheme is looking to fund partners that offer multiple routes into reaching people who are offline or people on a low income. There is particular interest in projects that offer a combination of direct and indirect activities to reach people at scale.

Projects must be delivered between 1 April and 8 December 2021.

Applications will be considered from regionally based organisations preferably with local networks that can deliver support to people in one of the target groups (people on a low income or people offline). Housing associations and local authorities are eligible to apply. Applicants will need to have a trusted voice in their community and provide support to people in this year’s target group(s).

The deadline for applications is 12 February 2021 (12 noon).

More information about this funding opportunity and the application process is available on the GRANTfinder funding information platform. GRANTfinder provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on funding news and policy. To find out more about how GRANTfinder can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.