As part of its efforts to reduce inequality and tackle the climate emergency, Southwark Council has awarded over £400,000 to 24 community-led green projects that will reduce energy bills and help the environment in the borough.
The announcement is part of the latest round of Southwark Community Energy Fund, which was launched in 2023 and is available to community groups, faith sites and schools. The fund has proved popular with local groups and supports these non-profit organisations to make green improvements to their buildings or run engagement programmes that educate community members on how to reduce their own energy bills and tackle fuel poverty.
The latest round includes a variety of projects, including:
- funding for solar panels for churches, community halls and schools
- energy workshops for refugee groups
- a programme of support for 30 schools to develop solutions to green their buildings
The fund includes four streams to support projects at different stages in their development, including pre-feasibility, feasibility, capital and capacity-building. Estimates for the projects at feasibility and capital delivery stages show they will save over 220 tonnes of carbon, which is equivalent to taking 129 petrol cars off the road for a year.
The council has been a strong advocate for community energy, as a way to help resident groups in the borough to enjoy the benefits of climate action by taking control of their energy and reducing their bills.
Speaking about the announcement Cllr John Batteson, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs & Business said “I am delighted to award another round of funding for exciting projects right across the borough that will tackle the climate emergency, empower residents and help to address fuel poverty.
Community energy is climate action that puts power back in the hands of local people. By supporting community-led action, we are reducing carbon emissions in the borough and helping local groups and residents reduce their energy bills at the same time.”
Tamim Isazadah, Fundraising Coordinator from Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), which was awarded funding said: “This funding from Southwark Community Energy Fund will enable ACAA to empower ethnic minority communities in Southwark with vital knowledge and skills to tackle energy poverty and take climate action locally, through energy awareness workshops and establishment of a new community energy group.
It will help us build energy awareness, drive behaviour change, build the capacity of a new established community energy group, and ensure our communities have a voice in the transition to a greener future.”
This follows the success of the first round of the fund, which awarded a similar amount to 22 projects in 2024. After its popularity and success the council committed to running a further two rounds, which includes this latest funding round. Details of the third round are expected to be announced some time before the end of the year, with an application process running that will be similar to the previous rounds.