Green Community Building Grant

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA)'s Green Community Business Grant is designed to help community buildings buy and install new products and equipment that reduces energy costs and carbon emissions whilst encouraging local communities to understand the benefits of using low carbon technology.

Grants to between £1,000 and £15,000 to cover between 30% and 60% of eligible capital costs are available.  If successful in applying you will need to complete and pay for your project before claiming the grant within a set timeframe.  Please note that you must not enter into any contracts, start works or pay any money towards your project until you have submitted your application form and your grant has been approved.

Eligible costs include supply and/or installation, as well as enabling works like scaffolding or electrical upgrades.  Common projects they have funded in similar grant schemes have included:

• loft, ceiling, wall and floor insulation
• double and secondary glazing
• solar reduction film
• heating such as air source heat pumps and infrared panels, and heating controls
• air conditioning and mechanical ventilation
• LED lighting and controls
• solar photovoltaic panels
• induction hobs, replacement fridges and other cooking equipment

In order to apply, you must be a registered charity, charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), charitable trust, community interest company (CIC), cooperative society, or community benefit society and

• have a trading address within Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, or South Gloucestershire
• be a not-for-profit organisation that is SME operated (for example less than 250 employees, turnover equal to or less than £54m or a balance sheet equal to or less than £27m)
• be able to provide suitable match funding for your project
• have an independent energy or carbon assessment/survey that recommends the project you are applying for (one is provided free as part of your application)

The following community facilities are eligible:

• Community centres, community advice centres and hubs
• Village and Neighbourhood halls
• Social clubs and youth centres, including scout huts
• Buildings of worship/faith (including associated buildings like church halls), where over 50% of activity/usage of the building is for community services and events
• Multi-purpose community buildings

The community facility may be owned or leased, including Community Asset Transfers, with at least 2 years remaining on the lease.

This is a grant and does not have to be repaid, however, if successful you will need to complete and pay for your project before claiming the grant, within the timescales as outlined above.

You must not enter into any contracts, start works or pay any money towards your project until you have submitted your application form and we have approved your grant.

The deadline is 28 August with awards being made in October.  Projects need to be completed, paid for and grant claimed by 31 March 2027.