Renewable energy funding for region’s rural firms

RURAL businesses, social enterprises and community groups across the North West have just a fortnight left to apply for a slice of £4m funding for green ventures.
 
The Rural Carbon Challenge Fund (RCCF) has grants of up to £500,000 available to support community-level projects that utilise renewable energy.

The funding is being specifically targeted at the region’s rural economy and rural communities. 

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) must be made before the closing date of June 1st to Envirolink North West.

The funding – which has come from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – will demonstrate what can be achieved at a community level.

Additionally, the RCCF will provide capital to support the cost of energy production in the community with technical support and training that will help support the North West’s move to a low carbon economy.

‘Rural’ wards in Greater Manchester such as Failsworth and Leigh as well as Allerton and Rainhill in Merseyside are eligible for the grants.

Robert Hough, chair of the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the organisation leading the fund, stressed the need for interested parties to submit their EOIs before it was too late.
 
He said: “The Rural Carbon Challenge Fund represents the agency’s commitment to creating a low carbon regional economy through its carbon that utilises the energy sources most appropriate for each locality.

“By directly supporting social and micro-enterprises and community groups at a community level, the Agency is demonstrating its tangible approach to change, showing just why the region is a national leader in a move towards a low carbon future.”
 
Lee Allman, head of research and commercialisation at Envirolink North West, which is delivering the project in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for rural communities in England’s North West to make a real difference to where they live and work.

“There is no other scheme like it in the country, so the successful projects will be pioneers, setting a blueprint for the rest of the UK to follow.”

For more information email b.herbert@envirolinknorthwest.co.uk .