The deadline to apply for a share of SSEN Distribution’s £3million Powering Communities to Net Zero fund in this year‘s round is fast approaching, and those interested in seeking grant support for projects are being urged to complete their applications without further delay. SSEN Distribution’s community fund has been heavily revised for this year, and as a result the application process has changed significantly. In previous years, grant requests have tended to be put in very close to the deadline. But with this year’s application form being markedly different, groups are being urged to fill it in now, to ensure they have ample time to gather the information needed well before the Saturday 31st August deadline. The fund team are on hand throughout August to support groups with their applications, and the point of contact for assistance is [email protected]. The new Powering Communities to Net Zero (PCNZ) fund is a successor to the former Resilient Communities Fund, which awarded over £5million to around 700 projects in the past 9 years. The new fund is running annually from this Summer, concluding in Spring 2028. More than £3million in grants will be awarded during this time. This fund will support communities during prolonged power interruptions caused by storms, aid their ability to cope in periods of severe weather, and will now also support the adoption of new low-carbon technologies. The fund is split into 2 categories: community-led physical and environmental resilience, and Low Carbon Technology (LCT). The new community-led physical and environmental resilience grants. Half of the £3million funding will be available over the next 4 years to enable communities to apply for grants that will bolster physical and environmental resilience measures. Grants of up to £15,000 will be awarded to successful applicants in this category. Over the past few years, hundreds of communities have received support from SSEN Distribution’s funding. Further details of the criteria are found in the fund guidance and in the application form. The new low-carbon technology grants. The other half of the funding being made available over the next 4 years will also be available for non-profit organisations to apply for grants to go towards the purchase of new Low-Carbon Technology. For example, a successful grant application could result in a social housing scheme or community centre being awarded funding to contribute to the cost of EV chargers, solar panels, battery storage or backup, low carbon heating systems, smart heating controls, or other general energy efficiency measures. Grants of up to £20,000 will be awarded to successful applicants in this category. SSEN is aware there are often lengthy lead times associated with community project preparations, as well as getting approval to connect some low carbon technologies. In light of this, SSEN Distribution is advising applicants to consider projects that have already been approved to apply in the current round, as the timescales for awarding and spending funds may be more likely to align. Those who are uncertain of their timescales can contact [email protected] to discuss this in more detail. Colin McMillan, SSEN’s Community Investment Manager, says:
“Since we announced the details of this new fund last month, we’ve had lots of interest in it, and we’ve answered plenty of questions from would-be applicants, who’ve told us they’ll be applying. In previous years, the submissions have tended to come very close to the deadline, which this year falls on Saturday 31 August. “But because the fund has changed this year, and with it the application process involved, the last thing I want is for deserving groups and projects to miss the chance of being awarded funding because they didn’t get the paperwork done on time. Our team is on hand to help people who’re midway through applying but have questions about the process; they can contact me at [email protected].”
Applications are now open for the 2024/25 fund. The deadline for applications is Saturday 31st August. The application form and more details can be found at www.ssen.co.uk/pcnz. Groups don’t need to be a registered charity to apply, but organisations applying must have a constitution (governing document or set of rules) and be set up on a not-for-profit basis. People who are unsure if their group is eligible can contact us for advice.
instead of handing out money to spongers, why don’t you reduce the hard working taxpayers, leccy bills by a bit and we can benefit from that money – after all it is ours, we paid it to you, for the over priced electric we bought
REAL Net zero cannot be achieved while persons are on Earth
Fact!.
IW Council themselves are doing nothing to
help the climate cause.
In London if you park a Diesel vehicle you have to pay
50% on top of the normal parking charges
This is to discourage motorists from owning Diesel vehicles.
“On the island they have done nothing to discourage
Diesel drivers”.
A 50 % increase which in pacts on the poor , no body changed their diesels they pay the fine . So no change to the environment just more money for tfl.
Yes, the usual answer to the so-called ‘climate crisis’, tax people.