North West Rural Carbon Challenge Fund

A ground breaking new £4m fund will be launched by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) in spring 2010 to support and deliver renewable energy projects in rural areas of the North West of England focusing on wind, water and woodfuel. The projects will be funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and through funding provided by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The aim of the fund is to improve the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector, the quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy and the living conditions and welfare of those living in rural areas.

It will demonstrate what can be achieved at a community level by creating exemplar supply chain partnerships. On the supply side it will support micro-enterprises to set up or expand a renewable energy business and to gain new skills through training. On the demand side it will support community groups and social enterprises with the capital cost of producing energy in community buildings and with technical support, feasibility studies, training and establishment costs.

In partnership, the Energy Saving Trust and Envirolink Northwest - as the delivery agents for the fund - will help address market failure in this sector by supporting applicants from start to finish. They will help micro-enterprises, social-enterprises and community groups forge alliances to submit joint expressions of interest and develop and deliver the outputs of their projects.

What types of projects can be funded?

• Capital for renewable energy systems for local communities (especially wind, hydro and woodfuel). This includes capacity building, technical support and establishment costs.
• Set up or expansion of a renewable energy business
• Training and information for those commissioning, installing, operating and servicing micro-renewable installations. This includes fitters, plumbers and heating engineers.
• Training and information for businesses, community groups, social enterprises and charities on developing and delivering projects.
• Feasibility studies
• All projects should offer an element of innovation e.g. the first time demonstration of the technology in a rural setting, working with a community group or for some other reason
• Demonstration of best practice

How much funding can be awarded to an individual project?

• The level of funding awarded to an individual project will depend on the legal status of the applicant and the type of activity proposed. Funding levels will range from 70 - 100% of total eligible project costs.
• Minimum grant award will be £200K
• Maximum grant award will be £500k

Who can apply for funding?

Funding recipient must be based in the North West of England and be either a social enterprise, formally constituted community group, charity, groups of businesses or micro enterprises. Individual businesses with more than 9 staff can only apply if part of a wider community project.

How do I apply?

The Rural Carbon Challenge Fund Guidance for Applicants will be published shortly and will provide full details of the programme and the application process. It will be available to download from the

Envirolink Northwest website

Alternatively, please contact Lee Allman on 01925 813200 or L.Allman@envirolinknorthwest.co.uk