Low Carbon Hub Community Grants Fund 2024 – 2025
It takes commitment, creativity, and hard work to run a thriving community group, but it’s inspiring and rewarding to witness the breadth of exciting events and programmes created by our community groups to reduce the effects of climate change.
Low Carbon Hub’s vibrant community groups are at the heart of our work, and we are delighted to offer financial support through our Community Grants Fund to help organise events and community energy activities across Oxfordshire.
We were thrilled to award two large grants, and it was a great year for small grants, with 10 awarded this year, 2024 – 2025, to our community groups, that will help to generate renewable energy, make buildings and homes more energy efficient, and create sustainable transport solutions.
All community group members of Low Carbon Hub can apply for a small number of large grants of up to £5,000 which are awarded each year, in a competitive process. The application process has an outline proposal, followed by a detailed stage and the applications are reviewed and selected by our Grants Committee. Community groups can apply for funding singly or in collaboration with other community group members.
Large Grants awarded 2024 -2025
‘Draughtbusting For All’
Hardwick Community Energy are providing training for a small team of Draughtbusters to carry out simple energy efficient measures to 27 old and difficult to heat cottages on Hardwick Estate, which are let to tenants at affordable rents. By increasing the energy performance of the houses, they hope to reduce energy bills and improve the level of comfort for the tenants.
‘Housewarming 2025 – 2026’
Building on the success of the Housewarming project, Low Carbon Oxford North will use the grant to continue the drop in events designed to demystify information around heat pumps and solar PV and batteries, for another year.
Other community groups are keen to learn from LCON’s approach to helping residents navigate their way through confusing information on new technology, and two community events are planned where they will share their expertise with other groups interested in setting up a Housewarming project in their community.
Small Grants awarded 2024 – 2025
All Low Carbon Hub community groups can apply for a small grant of up to £500 in any financial year and if we have sufficient funds in the pot, we aim to fund all qualifying applications. You can download the application form and find inspiring projects, such as Sustainable Wantage’s event; Clean Heat & Free Cake, on the Community Grants pages on our website.
West Oxford Community Renewables (WOCoRe)
‘Improving visitor experience at Osney Lock Hydro’
WOCoRe used their grant to install a digital display screen at Osney Lock Hydro to show real time energy generation, storage and river flow rates. They also replaced some damaged information signs, improving the experience for schools and visitors. The new displays and signs were unveiled at the recent 10th Birthday celebration of Osney Lock Hydro.
‘Solar Powered Stage @ West Oxford Fun Day’
LCWO hired a solar stage from http://cycdusoleil.co.uk/ at West Oxford Fun Day to demonstrate the use of renewable energy. It was transported by bicycle and helped to emphasise fun ways to produce renewable power in a family friendly environment.
Low Carbon Oxford North (LCON)
‘Heat Pumps Exhibition and Retrofit Surgery’
LCON developed exhibition posters for the Housewarming series of home energy events, starting with ‘Heat Pumps Demystified’ and ‘Solar PV & batteries’
‘MIDAS Training for Community Transport Drivers’
First & Last Mile were able to provide MiDAS Training, (Minibus Driver Assessment Scheme), for their community transport drivers to improve driving skills and safety standards. First & last Mile are approved providers of the training which needs to be refreshed every two years.
‘Mass Parliamentary Lobby 2025’
Oxford Friends of the Earth are developing resources to promote a National Lobby of Parliament on 9 July 2025 to highlight the urgency needed to address climate and energy issues.
‘Go Green Hanborough Community Events’
Go Green Hanborough, a new community group in West Oxfordshire, are producing materials and content for stalls, workshops and pop-up events aimed at residents, community organisations and businesses, to encourage them to reduce their energy usage.
‘Journeying through Energy Saving with LCEO’
LCEO are funding materials to apply simple energy efficient measures directly in people’s homes in East Oxford, who were identified from a recent thermal imaging campaign.
Deddington Environment Network (DEN)
Positive Steps Together:
DEN will use their grant to develop resources & materials to run a series of talks and workshops to support residents with advice on energy efficiency, heat pumps and solar & battery installation. The first home energy event is on 20 September at Deddington Church.
Cycle Shed for Community E-bikes:
Sustainable Duns Tew are purchasing a secure storage shed for two electric bikes, provided by Cherwell District Council, that are available for use by the community.
Barford Environment Network (BEN)
‘Decarbonising the Barfords’
BEN’s small grant will go towards planning a series of community workshops and developing a website that will host up to date information that will help homes, businesses and transport organisations in North Oxfordshire villages to reduce their energy use.
We look forward to catching up with progress on the current community grant projects. Our community group members can apply for a small grant of £500 in the present financial year and large grant applications will open in September 2025.