Community and charity funding for green capital projects from Rampion offshore wind farm

An offshore wind farm off the Sussex coast is handing out £100,000 for the second year running for community and charity groups to improve buildings with renewable energy solutions and conservation initiatives.

The Rampion Community Benefit Fund 2024 is open until Friday, April 26 for applications from charities, community groups and not-for-profit organisations to fund projects benefiting local communities and supporting the environment.

Organisations can bid for grants of up to £20,000 for eco-friendly capital projects as part of the new ‘Community Energy Solutions’ initiative.  Onsite renewable energy projects could involve solar PV for electricity or solar thermal, ground and air source for heating and hot water.  Energy conservation projects could include insulation, passive design to reduce heating and cooling requirements, and reused or recycled building materials.

Priority will be given to projects that support long term initiatives that mitigate against an increase in energy costs and support sustainable buildings.

Grants of up to £10,000 are also offered for community projects supporting nature conservation, marine ecology and environmental improvements.

Since the Rampion Fund at Sussex Community Foundation was set up in 2017, over £2 million has been given out in grants to 187 projects working for the benefit of more than a million local people in Sussex. The fund region stretches from Littlehampton Harbour in the west to Beachy Head in the east and up to the A272 near Twineham in the north.

To find out more, and to apply, visit: www.sussexgiving.org.uk/rampion