Go Greener Faster in Winchester
New scheme offers grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 to not-for-profit organisations in the district to help them reduce energy use and CO2 emissions.
Winchester City Council is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, with priorities set out in its carbon neutrality action plan (CNAP). One way it’s working to achieve its ambitious target is to provide project funding for local not-for-profit organisations so that they, and the communities they support, can become more sustainable.
Photo by Mangopear creative
The Go Greener Faster scheme makes sums of between £5,000 and £10,000 available to such organisations, which include registered charities, parish councils and community interest companies.
To qualify, the organisations must secure a minimum 25% of the total project cost in match funding from other sources. They must also demonstrate that fully funded projects will deliver on one or more of the pathways set out in the Winchester District carbon neutrality action plan (CNAP): reducing energy consumption; reducing transport carbon emissions; increasing renewable energy generation / purchase; carbon sequestration through nature-based solids; and/or supporting the creation of local carbon credits.
For more details of the requirements, see the full criteria. Applications must be made by September 30, 2024.
The charity Trinity Winchester, which supports people experiencing the effects of homelessness and vulnerability, has already been awarded a grant of £7,310, supplemented by match funding from Hampshire County Council, to commission an independent energy review. This has shown them the most cost-effective means to reduce emissions, by installing further solar panels on the roof of the charity’s day centre.
Paul Williams, Development Manager at Trinity Winchester, says: ‘The Go Greener Faster grant is definitely worth applying for!’ He also provides the following advice for those looking to be more renewable: ‘Clearly decide what you are looking to achieve and get expert independent advice before committing to capital expenditure. Look at what will give you the maximum return for the resources expended – this could be measured in financial savings or kgCO2 saved (or both).’
Meanwhile, Durley Parish Council received £10,000 to install two batteries storage units in Durley Parish Hall, allowing them to store the energy generated by the hall’s existing 20 solar panels. Within just six weeks of installation, the council reported that the hall was 97% energy self-sufficient.
Other examples of successful bids, and full details of how to apply, can be found on the Go Greener Faster Grant page of the Winchester City Council website.
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