This scheme will help voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) across England to deliver more efficient services for people and communities by saving money on their energy bills, with the potential for capital grants to make recommended improvements.

The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme is offering independent energy assessments to help identify energy-saving opportunities in organisation’s buildings. It is funded as part of a package of over £100 million of support from the Government to help frontline delivery organisations with the increased cost of living.

Applicant organisations must be a VCSE based in England and delivering frontline services. They must be able to demonstrate that they are financially sustainable, require support around energy and are not suitable for blended finance or loan support through other schemes.

The first step is to check eligibility with an online checker, to see if you can apply for the cost and delivery of an Independent Energy Assessment (IEA). Successful organisations will be matched with an independent Energy Assessor to look at your building and help identify energy-saving opportunities.

With a satisfactory IEA, and provided you meet the wider eligibility criteria, your organisation may also apply for a Capital Grant of between £2,000 and £150,000. The grants can be used to install capital energy efficiency measures identified in your IEA, to reduce your building’s energy costs and support the delivery of your frontline services.

Decisions on IEA applications can be expected within 15 working days.

There will be three Capital Grant rounds which will open in early January, mid-April and early July 2024.

All funds must be spent and projects completed by March 2025.

The scheme will close in August 2024.

Early application is strongly encouraged.

The scheme is being administered by Groundwork, who can be contacted for further information.

For full details and to apply, visit the Groundwork VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme webpage.