Rural Community Carbon Network

The O2 Energy Saver Fund is a joint initiative between O2 and the Energy Saving Trust. It has been designed to help local communities of between 10-25 households to install energy saving measures in their home that will help in the fight against climate change.
If an application is successful a “hit squad” will be sent into individual’s homes to install priority insulation measures.

For more information on the initiative please see the CAfE website:

The Energy Saving Trust also runs the CAfE (Community action for Energy) programme. CAfE is a network of people who share a common interest in community energy projects and ideas. Membership of the network is free and by joining you can keep up to date with news on community-based energy initiatives, as well as hearing about funding opportunities, training sessions and other news from the network.

Finally public sector and not for profit organisations can apply for funding through the Low Carbon Building Programme Phase 2 (managed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) which offers funding for micro generation technology.

As I mentioned earlier, the RCCN has made it through to Stage 2 of the NESTA Big Green Challenge. We are very happy about this as we feel that joining people, ideas and innovation up is really important in inspiring and supporting action; we are pleased that NESTA recognised this. Now, after an informative workshop session in Birmingham and 4 hours spent chatting through our initiative with our lovely adviser, plus many many hours spent writing the detailed project plan - the final application has gone to NESTA. Fingers crossed now.

Some Challengers will get an opportunity to pitch their idea to the NESTA team and judging panel in July (I am imaging something like Dragons Den, but hopefully less scary) - with successful finalists (there will be 10) being announced thereafter.

Good luck to all the Big Green Challengers!