Climate and Energy Funding Opportunities

Funding to Support Vulnerable Energy Consumers (England, Scotland and Wales)

The latest round of the Ofgem Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme is now open to applications from charities in England, Scotland and Wales. The scheme supports projects that help energy consumers in vulnerable situations to reduce their bills by distributing payments from energy companies who may have breached Ofgem rules. There are four funds open in this funding round totalling £5.75 million to enable charities to deliver projects designed to tackle fuel poverty and support the transition to net zero. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 15 November 2021.

Grants Available to Community Projects Tackling Climate Change (UK)

Ahead of COP26, a new fund has been launched to support communities and schools across the UK take action on climate change. Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available to support community projects covering areas such as food, transport, energy, waste and consumption and the natural environment. The funding comes from the National Lottery Community Fund and the closing date for applications is 18 November 2021.

Funding for School Climate and Biodiversity Projects (UK)

The Royal Society is inviting applications to their Tomorrow's Climate Scientists Programme to give students across the UK the opportunity to take action to address climate and biodiversity issues. Grants of up to £3,000 are available to UK primary or secondary schools to run a STEM investigation project for students aged between 5 and 18. This round will close at the end of November 2021.

£220 Million to Help Polluting Industries Reduce Fossil Fuel Use (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Businesses in some of the most polluting and energy-intensive industries will be able to bid for a share of £220 million in Government investment to help them go green. Phase two of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund will support businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to clean up their industrial processes, improve their energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Industries including pharmaceuticals, food and drink, and steel and paper will be able to apply for grants of up to £30 million to enable them to invest in low-carbon technology. The competition will be open to applications from 27 September until 06 December 2021.

Aviva Climate Fund Launched (UK)

Aviva has launched a new Climate Fund to run alongside its established Aviva Community Fund. Aviva will be awarding £150,000 to projects addressing climate change. They have teamed up with the fundraising platform Crowdfunder and will match each donation, given by Aviva employees and the general public, up to the value of £50 between 26 October 2021 and 07 December 2021, or until the entire £150,000 is allocated. For projects to be eligible they will need to either help prevent or reduce the impacts of climate change, and/or help prepare people and places for climate change impact, through education and recovery planning.

Funding for Community-Led Tree Planting Projects (UK)

Schools, community groups and non-governmental organisations within the UK can apply for grants of up to £6,000 for community-led tree-planting projects. The aim is to conserve, restore and protect the UK's native species whilst raising awareness of the importance of trees and forests to the environment and human well-being. Organisations must plant a minimum of 50 trees per £1,000 of grant funding on publicly accessible land, or regenerate land for the benefit of trees and local wildlife. Applications can be submitted at any time until 16 December 2021.

Grants for the Planting and Care of Trees, Hedges and Orchards (UK)

Schools, community groups, parish and town councils, and tree warden networks within the UK can apply for grants of between £300 and £1,500 to get communities and young people involved in planting and caring for trees, hedges and orchards. The funding is being made available through the Tree Council's Branching Out Fund. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 17 December 2021, but early applications are encouraged to ensure availability of stock. All projects must be completed and payments claimed by 31 March 2022.

Grants to Support Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Improvements (UK)

The NatureSave Trust has announced that the next funding round will open from 1 September 2021. The Trust will provide grants of between £500 to £2,500 to charities and voluntary and grassroots organisations for projects focused on nature conservation and biodiversity improvements. The deadline for applications will be 31 December 2021.

£160 Million Fund to Improve the Energy Performance of Social Housing Stock (England)

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund will allow registered providers of social housing in England to bid for funding to improve the energy performance of their social homes. Applications will open in autumn 2021 to upgrade 'a significant amount' of social housing stock. £160 million in funding will be available in this round for projects delivering up to March 2023.

Funding to Support the Development of Low and Zero Carbon Heat Networks (England)

The £270 million Green Heat Network Fund will assist the rollout of the next generation of heat networks. The fund will function as a lower carbon successor to existing district heating incentives available in England, and will only support applications if they include low-carbon heating technologies such as heat pumps, waste heat and energy from geothermal sources, and solar heating. Public, private, and third sector organisations will be able to apply for funding through the scheme from April 2022.