A small grant from Low Carbon Hub can go a long way – from thermal imaging campaigns to fashion shows, EV charging upgrades to repair cafes. Here’s how fifteen Oxfordshire community groups are putting their 2025-26 grants to work.

Low Carbon Hub’s vibrant community groups are at the heart of our work to create a zero-carbon energy system and continue to be inspirational in tackling climate change. We are delighted to offer financial support through our Community Grants Fund to help organise events and community energy activities across Oxfordshire.  

Our small grants programme is one of our favourite ways to share the community benefit generated from our renewable installations, like Ray Valley Solar and Sandford Hydro. The small grants can help to fund local activities and events that will help to generate renewable energy, make buildings and homes more energy efficient, and create sustainable transport solutions.

All Low Carbon Hub community groups can apply for a small grant in any financial year and in the new financial year of 2026-27 we will be making some changes to make the application and reporting process easier. More details on that soon. So long as we have sufficient funds in the pot, it is our aim to fund all applications.

This financial year, 2025–26, the following groups were awarded a small grant to help with a fantastic diversity of activities that reflects the enthusiasm and commitment of a wide range of community groups, united by the common purpose of helping people and helping the planet.

Burford BEAgles  

Burford BEAgles are organising an event to show the popular film ‘Power Station’ at Witney Eco Forum on 9 April 2026, with the aim of inspiring local residents with the idea that it’s possible to turn their streets into renewable energy hubs. They are planning to follow up with an event to share information and knowledge on possibilities for community solar projects.

Go Green Hanborough 

Developing resources and materials for a mobile community stall that aims to engage people with home energy efficiency. The group began conversations on tackling climate change by setting up the stall at the local supermarket and providing information on energy saving measures and offering a free thermal imaging service.

Heat Clanfield 

The grant is being used to pay for venue hire for a series of engagement events and the development of a website to encourage local support for a proposed community-owned ground mount solar array of 1.5 MW. The group are in the process of applying for a Stage 2 Development Grant from the Great British Energy Community Energy Fund.

Low Carbon Oxford North 

LCON are using their grant to reduce private car use by helping community groups in Oxfordshire towns to hold public surgeries to improve engagement for better bus services, using Witney Parish Council Bus meetings as a model. The project is being implemented through LCON’s Oxon4buses Outreach volunteers.

Low Carbon South Oxford  

Purchase of materials and resources to run a Home Insulation event in Hinksey Park, following on from a successful thermal imaging campaign. Residents could view the thermal images of their homes and receive support on energy efficiency from Low Carbon Hub’s Energy Advisor, and Better Housing Better Health. They could also learn how to make their own radiator foil panels and receive low cost draughtproofing materials.

One Planet Abingdon 

The grant will help to fund an exciting fashion show, One Planet Showcase, celebrating the results of One Planet Abingdon‘s upcycling and repairing clothing workshops. The showcase will take place at the Guildhall, Abingdon on 13 June 2026.

Oxford Friends of the Earth 

Supporting 10 story collectors to locate stories across Oxfordshire that show positive action towards achieving a green energy system by 2040. The aim is to share the stories on the Oxfordshire Mycelium Map, with printed copies sent to Town and District Councils.

Rose Hill & Iffley Low Carbon 

Covering the cost of publicity material and venue hire for six Repair Cafes to be held across the year. People will have access to their local advice centres and be supported with home energy efficiency information and free insulation resources.

Sustainable Charlbury 

Updating the ‘Home Comforts’ existing typologies of Charlbury homes to inspire the community on the benefits of home retrofit.

Find out more at Sustainable Charlbury

Sustainable Didcot  

The grant is being used to repair the old and rotting frames of raised beds at three community allotments with locally recycled wood from Oxford Wood Recycling. The allotments bring people together to grow food and share skills at the community kitchen cooking sessions and food bank.

Find out more at Sustainable Didcot

Sustainable Kirtlington 

Encouraging use of electric vehicles by purchasing and installing a new modem to improve the wifi connection to the EV charging points at Kirtlington Village Hall, making it easier and more efficient for the community to charge their electric vehicles locally.

Find out more at Sustainable Kirtlington

Sustainable Wantage 

The group are planning to conduct 20 home energy assessments in Wantage and Grove, using an independent energy efficiency expert that they have worked with before. They hope to identify homes that need urgent energy efficiency measures, which can be implemented by the Sustainable Wantage Draughtbusters team.

West Oxford Community Renewables                        

Purchase and installation of a clearer and brighter digital display screen that enables visitors to see real time data of the renewable energy generated at Osney Lock Hydro. The screen has the bonus of being visible to passers-by on the towpath and helps to engage people with renewable energy in the wildlife friendly setting of the Hydro.

Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust  

Helping towards venue hire at Coleshill National Trust Timber Shed, to host three community workshops and an exhibition in partnership with Comic Co-Creation. The aim is to strengthen community engagement with renewable energy by using comics and visual storytelling. Participants will explore the past, present and future impact of community-owned energy.

Find out more at Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust.

21^st Century Thame 

Carrying out thermal imaging and energy-efficiency surgeries in Thame and Haddenham, supported by local volunteer Energy Champions trained by Bucks Community Energy. The aim is to encourage residents to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and lower their energy bills, implemented through local organisations such as Thame Community Larder.

Find out more at 21st Century Thame

Feeling inspired? Are you part of a Low Carbon Hub community group? Find out how to apply for a small grant.