Borough MP speaks upon the launch the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Energy Efficiency Scheme

Maggie Throup OBE MP, Member of Parliament for Erewash, is urging local organisations to apply to the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Energy Efficiency Scheme. 

The scheme, backed by £25.5 million, will provide energy assessments and grants of up to £150,000.00 to improve voluntary organisations energy efficiency and sustainability.

The scheme has two elements:

1. Eligible organisations can apply for the cost and delivery of an independent energy assessment. This will help identify how to reduce bills through measures such as improving or installing new energy features in the building, or changing how energy is used. These assessments will be useful to organisations whether or not they apply for the second element. This part of the scheme is open for applications until August 2024.
    
2. Organisations with an energy assessment may then be eligible to apply for a capital grant of between £2,000.00 and £150,000.00 to install the recommended energy efficiency measures in their premises. This part of the scheme will open to applications in January 2024 and grant rounds will also run until August 2024. 

The scheme will be delivered by a consortium of partners, led by Groundwork UK and supported by the Energy Saving Trust, Centre for Sustainable Energy, Locality, and Social Investment Business.

Maggie said: “Voluntary and community organisations play a vital role helping those most in need across Erewash. However, when I speak to many of these organisations, they tell me of their concerns about the rise in cost of running their organisations. 

“I am urging voluntary, community, and social enterprises across Erewash to apply to the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme which will help their organisation improve its energy efficiency. The scheme will provide important energy assessments and grants of up to £150,000.00 to improve their organisations energy efficiency. Please don’t wait and if eligible, apply today.” 

Grant awards will be decided through a competitive process, seeking applications from eligible organisations.

Information on the eligibility criteria and details on how to apply can be found through the following links:

VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme – GOV.UK 

VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme – Groundwork