Bath andWest Community Energy (BWCE) Fund grant programme.
Grants available for fuel poverty and carbon emissions reduction projects in
Bath and surrounding areas
Local projects cutting carbon or tackling fuel poverty can now apply to the Bath and
West Community Energy (BWCE) Fund grant programme.
This popular grant programme is back for its thirteenth year, thanks to funding from
BWCE as part of the work it does in supporting local communities. Applications for grants of up to £5,000 are invited before the 29 October 2026 deadline.
Award-winning BWCE was set up in 2010 to own and develop renewable energy
projects and has since become one of the largest community-owned energy
companies in the UK. As a Community Benefit Society it gives surplus income to the
BWCE Fund, which is administered by Quartet Community Foundation, giving grants
to community groups and local environmental organisations.
Earlier this year 8 projects in or near B&NES received £33,962 in funding to address
fuel poverty or lower carbon emissions. These grants supported:
• Addressing food & fuel poverty and reducing food waste supporting delivery
of community meals made using surplus food that would otherwise go to waste
(FoodCycle); creation of a garden for young people to actively grow their food
(Lux Youth Project); and provision of tailored essential items to help people
affected by fuel poverty across B&NES (Genesis Trust).
• Energy efficiency in community buildings and transport a new sealed inner
entry door & blower tests for air tightness (PCC Weston All Saints and Climate
Friendly Bradford); energy efficient lighting (Mentoring Plus)
• Environmental Education through How to Workshops ( Bath Share & Repair);
and training for sessional workers and volunteers to deliver practical sessions for
pupils learning to care for school-based tree nurseries (More Trees BANES)
Jane Wildblood, Chair of Trustees for BWCE Fund, said: “Taking action at the local
level to tackle the climate emergency has never been more important and it’s always
exciting to see new projects coming forward each year. We are very proud of all the
local organisations we have funded so far and of the clear community benefit they
deliver. We are aware that fuel poverty is not just a winter issue as our climate
changes and would like to see projects that provide, for example, more warm and
cool spaces for vulnerable people in the area. We would also welcome projects that
help to shift people from oil heating in rural areas to low carbon alternatives.”
Quartet Community Foundation’s Philanthropy Manager, Angela Emms said: “We’re
delighted to continue working with the BWCE Fund. As charities are facing both
increasing costs and increasing demands, this grant programme has the double
benefit of supporting projects which reduce carbon emissions or tackle fuel poverty.
Carbon reduction does not just relate to energy projects; it might include local food,
sustainable transport or waste reduction or indeed any activity that reduces carbon
emissions. This year everyone has seen the very real impact of climate change and
we would particularly welcome applications relating to fuel poverty/affordable warmth
and also cool spaces”
• Case study – Replacement lighting for Mentoring Plus
Mentoring Plus received a grant of £5,000 towards replacing outdated fluorescent
lighting at Riverside Youth Hub with energy efficient LEDS. The aim is to improve the
visibility in outside areas helping to create a safer environment for evening activities
and community use.
Ruth Keily, CEO, Mentoring Plus said:
“The new LED lighting is reducing the building’s energy consumption and carbon
emissions. This will help lower our running costs over the long term, meaning more
of our resources can be focused on supporting children and young people facing
challenges, rather than inefficient lighting costs
We are very grateful for the support we have received from the Bath and West
Community Energy Fund”.
Find out more and apply before 29 October
Groups are invited to apply to the BWCE Fund grant programme before 1pm on
Thursday 29 October 2026.
Interested projects need to apply through the Quartet
Community Foundation website: https://quartetcf.org.uk/grants/bath-west-
community-energy-fund/
Full details of the grants awarded in previous years can be found on BWCE’s
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