The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), which offers free energy advice to help organisations and people tackle the climate emergency and end cold homes, has a number of resources available on its website for community buildings, including:
o Community building energy audit
The CSE’s community building energy audit has been used by organisations across the country for more than ten years to help identify opportunities for improvements. It has recently been updated with more detailed and up to date guidance.
o Funding for your community building
Once you know what improvements your building needs, you can start searching for available grants and funding to help. This resource runs through different ways you can fund your work.
o Energy efficiency in community buildings
This handy guide highlights what you should do to improve energy efficiency in your community building and how to create a meaningful action plan to make it happen.
o Guidance on installing solar PV
This resource from Historic England outlines what you need to consider when designing and installing solar power systems for historic buildings.
o Retrofitting traditional buildings tool
Use this tool to explore which measures are suitable for retrofitting traditional buildings.
o How to run a Community Energy Day
A Community Energy Day brings people together to learn more about energy, bills and sustainability while connecting with their neighbours and having fun. Hosting an energy day helps you to share learning with your community.
o Different ways to fund your community energy project
Whether you’re looking to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings in your community, provide energy advice to local people, or start a local renewable energy initiative, various grants and funding schemes are available. This guidance goes through different types.
o Spreadsheet of funding opportunities (updated every 6 months by CSE)
CSE has developed this spreadsheet to document the latest funding opportunities for charities and community groups. The spreadsheet is updated every 6 months.
Check out its page on funding for community energy projects for more information about different types of funding, what it can help with and tips for how to apply.
Further information about how the Centre for Sustainable Energy’s advice and resources for community buildings can be found on its website.
