Smart Energy GB in Communities Fund – Open for Large Grants

Smart Energy GB has set up a new five-year fund to support community based organisations that provide information about how to get and use smart meters, especially for those who may face barriers to getting a smart meter.
The fund, which has been accepting applications for small grants since the scheme launched last month, is now inviting organisations with a wider regional reach working with Smart Energy GB’s priority groups to apply for a large grant. These organisations should be not-for-profit, eg, charities, clubs, social enterprises, residents associations, and parish councils.
The funding is intended to support the costs of activities that deliver results against one or more of the following outcomes:

• Raising awareness of smart meters and understanding their key benefits.
• Increasing interest in getting a smart meter installed.
• Motivating people to use their smart meter.
• Educating people on how to get the most benefit from using their smart meter.

The following are priority groups for 2016 (this may change in 2017):

• District heating customers (district heating is a system where a communal source of heat is shared with other properties).
• Lack of proficiency in English (or Welsh in Wales).
• Lacking basic digital skills.
• Learning disability.
• Low literacy.
• Memory impairment.
• No personal internet access.
• Off-gas grid customers.
• Prepay customers.
• Private tenants.
• Severe or profound deafness.
• Social housing tenants.

The funding can be used for the full costs needed to run the project, for example a proportion of staff salaries, room hire, equipment hire, transport costs, publicity materials, volunteer expenses, costs to support the grant monitoring requirements and other appropriate overheads.
This year's grant must be used by 31 December 2016.

Large Grant Expressions of Interest will be accepted until 10 July 2016.