Over £3.5 million of funding has been awarded to benefit 17 charities, including those affected by COVID-19, has been announced by Energy Saving Trust in the latest round of the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme (Energy Redress Scheme).
Managed and delivered by Energy Saving Trust, the Energy Redress Scheme collects voluntary payments from energy companies that may have breached rules to make amends for the effects on energy consumers that may have been affected.
The priority of the scheme is to support energy consumers in vulnerable situations.
Katie Reville, development officer for the scheme, commented: “We had a great selection of charities submitting applications during round eight and we’re eager to see the successful projects begin supporting vulnerable households over the coming winter.
“Many advice services are anticipating increased demand for their help in coming months due to the impacts of COVID-19 and the redress funding is helping some of these vital services to be delivered at this challenging time.”
Round eight of the Energy Redress scheme saw the 17 charities receiving grants ranging from £32,000 to £909,000, being able to deliver new projects across Great Britain that will support vulnerable households, improve EPC ratings of properties and support those who have been affected by COVID-19 who may be struggling to pay energy bills.
Many of the grantees will also be supporting their clients to improve the energy efficiency of their homes by helping them access the UK government’s new Green Homes Grants.
Some of the charities that will receive funding include Burmantofts Community Projects who will provide energy and financial well-being advice in vulnerable client’s homes and at Foodbanks throughout Leeds, Act on Energy who are looking to launch a large-scale energy advice service across the West Midlands in partnership with an existing redress grantee Marches Energy Agency, and Thenue Housing Association who will target their new advice service in six Glasgow communities.
Saleem Shafi from Burmantofts Community Projects in Leeds commented on the news: “Our team are excited to get going. This quarter and well into 2021 is going to be harsh on so many and we want to help as many people as we can.”
The Energy Redress Scheme has funded 119 projects since launching in 2018, awarding over £18.9 million to charities delivering projects across England, Scotland and Wales.
Round 9 of Energy Redress Scheme funding will launch later this month.
Only charities that are registered with the Energy Redress Scheme and have passed the due diligence process can apply to the open funding rounds.
Further information on the scheme and the application process can be found here
