£5,500 fund available for local community projects

Community groups in Exeter have a unique opportunity to tap into vital funding, thanks to the launch of the seventh annual Community Fund by Exeter Community Energy (ECOE). With £5,500 available for local projects that focus on tackling the climate emergency and promoting social justice, this fund is a key resource for initiatives aiming to create positive, sustainable change in the area.

Applications are now open, with a deadline of February 9, and winners set to be announced at the end of March. The fund has already supported numerous local groups in the past, providing crucial financial backing for projects that focus on clean energy, tackling fuel poverty, and enhancing social welfare.

Since its inception in 2017, the Community Fund has distributed a total of £36,381 to 29 local organisations, helping them implement initiatives that align with ECOE’s mission of sustainability and carbon footprint reduction. The money raised by the fund comes from the income generated by ECOE’s ten solar power sites, as well as donations from members and surplus income from its Healthy Homes for Wellbeing project.

In 2023, several local initiatives benefitted from the fund, including Exwick Community Centre, which received £3,024 to improve insulation and make the building more energy-efficient. Hurly Burley Nursery was awarded £5,000 to install a new heating system featuring air-source heat pumps and electric radiators, ensuring the facility remained warm for the community in an area of high deprivation.

Other successful recipients last year included Love Food CIC and Pippins Community Centre, further demonstrating the fund’s commitment to supporting projects that benefit local residents.

The Community Fund continues to play an essential role in supporting initiatives that help Exeter meet its environmental and social goals. ECOE invites all eligible groups to apply and make a difference in the city by addressing the climate crisis while also promoting fairness and community welfare.

For more information on eligibility and the application process, click here.