Powering Communities Fund 2022
2022 Winners
Younity is delighted to announce the winners of the Powering Communities Fund most recent round of distributions. A record number of submissions in 2022, so testament to the winners who had some fantastic community projects to share.
What is the Powering Communities Fund?
The Powering Communities Fund has been created by Younity with the aim to support community energy groups to either start or enhance their community energy projects. The fund is exclusive to Younity's PPA partners and Your Co-op Energy's community energy affiliate partners and over the last three years, Younity has paid out over £34,500 to support 13 different community energy projects.
Introducing the August 2022 winners
Congratulations to RainePower, Cwm Arian Renewable Energy, Isles of Scilly Community Venture, Burnham & Weston Energy. They have summarised below how they will use their funds:
Group: Rainepower
"Following our application we are delighted to be informed that we will be receiving a grant from the Powering Communities Fund from Younity. This funding will help enable both the set-up and running of an Energy Local club at Rainepower Hydro in South East Cumbria. Energy Local allows local residents to purchase locally produced renewable energy at a lower rate than the market. This project will connect local people, many of whom are vulnerable, to clean renewable energy. At the time of a cost-of-living crisis we believe that clean, local power needs to be harnessed and the funding from Younity will help enable a community owned renewable energy asset to benefit local people". Marna McMillin, Chair, Rainepower Community Hydro.
Group: Cwm Arian Renewable Energy
"CARE is really happy for this wonderful fit with the Younity Powering Communities Fund - great to provide community renewable power to Younity, and for the fund to support and recognise CARE's work in helping vulnerable customers with funding for accessible home energy survey equipment to allow Peer to Peer assistance to households during this energy crisis". Daniel Blackburn, Director, Cwm Arian Renewable Energy
Group: Isles of Scilly Community Venture
“We’re really excited to have been selected for a grant from Younity’s Powering Communities Fund, and we are looking forward to working with the young people of the Isles of Scilly to help our community learn more about where our energy comes from.” George Goldberg, Director, Isles of Scilly Community Venture
Group: Burnham & Weston Energy
"Burnham and Weston Energy are delighted that Younity have decided to support our Community Energy Youth Summit with Weston College. We really want to involve more young people in community energy and, as a demographic hard to engage to-date, we recognise it is important we listen to young people to understand how we can engage them and what opportunities are needed locally." Lynda Wookey Impact and Development Director, Burnham & Weston Energy