Funding available to support the development of resilient communities in Shropshire

Communities across Shropshire are being invited to apply for funding to support projects that maximise energy efficiency, affordable warmth and/or resilience to climate change within their respective communities.

A grant pot of £4,000 is being made available, which will support a minimum of two communities. Support worth up to £2,000 will also be provided to a wider range of groups through a series of workshops and training.

The funding is aimed at helping communities through the process of:

• Identifying need in their community
• Developing solutions
• Implementing solutions through supported project delivery

Projects could range from communities supporting vulnerable people in times of adverse weather to organising a community bulk buy of heating fuel or energy efficiency products. We would like to hear from any community about any ideas they may have.

A community can be any group of people living within the same place or having shared characteristics or interests.  They do not need to be formally constituted to receive support.

The project is being managed by Marches Energy Agency (MEA), on behalf of Shropshire Council.

Councillor Malcolm Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing, said:

“This funding project demonstrates our long-term commitment to Shropshire residents in maintaining and safeguarding our environment by supporting communities to help them stay warm and use energy more efficiently.

“With winter approaching, we want to support Shropshire communities to help local residents, in particularly our most vulnerable, get access to cheaper energy so to avoid falling into fuel poverty. I would therefore encourage local communities to to take advantage and apply for this funding.”

Communities should submit their ideas by 5pm on 30 September. A short application form and further guidance is available at www.mea.org.uk/warmcommunities

For more information on the project and to register your interest, please contact Oliver Rothwell on 01743 277114 or oliver@mea.org.uk