Great British Energy (GBE) Community Fund provides staged grant funding to help community organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland develop and build community-owned clean energy projects.
The GBE Community Fund was established to empower communities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to take an active role in the clean energy transition by supporting the development and construction of community-owned renewable energy projects. The Fund aims to foster local ownership, reinvestment, and long-term value for communities through clean energy initiatives.
A diverse range of projects are expected to be funded, while areas that have received less support in the past are likely to be prioritised.
Grant funding is provided in three distinct stages, allowing applicants to seek support that matches their project’s current level of readiness:
- Stage 1 offers up to £40,000 for feasibility studies to assess project viability.
- Stage 2 provides up to £100,000 to develop viable ideas into investment-ready proposals, while
- Stage 3 offers up to £3 million, or 50% of the total project value, to help construction-ready projects bridge remaining funding gaps.
Projects may apply for any stage independently, and funding at one stage does not guarantee support at subsequent stages.
Eligible applicants must be legally incorporated community organisations based in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, such as:
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
- Community Benefit Societies
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Co-operative Societies
- Development Trusts
- Registered charities
- Registered social landlords, or
- Town, Parish or Community Councils.
Projects must be designed to be at least 50% community owned when operational, and applicants must demonstrate appropriate financial management and governance arrangements.
Applications will be assessed on:
- Eligibility
- Organisational capacity
- Project viability
- Deliverability
- Community ownership and benefit (community benefits may include payments into a community benefit fund,
reinvestment of project income into local activities, reduced energy costs for community facilities, and funding for local services or training). - Financial value, and
- Risk management
For further information, visit the website.