Open Call: Principality Building Society Retrofit for the Future Fund (UK)

Deadline: 05-Oct-2026

The Principality Building Society Retrofit for the Future Fund provides grants of up to £25,000 to eligible organisations in Wales for projects that improve the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of community buildings. Funding can support upgrades such as solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, energy-efficient lighting, battery storage, rainwater harvesting, and other environmentally sustainable improvements.

About the Retrofit for the Future Fund

The Principality Building Society Retrofit for the Future Fund supports community organisations in Wales to reduce the environmental impact of their buildings. The fund is delivered through a partnership between Community Foundation Wales and Principality Building Society. It focuses on practical improvements that can make community buildings more energy efficient, environmentally sustainable, and suitable for long-term community use. Funding can be used for building retrofits or equipment that contributes to measurable environmental improvements. What Does the Fund Support? The fund supports projects that improve the energy performance and environmental sustainability of community access buildings. Other suitable energy-efficiency or environmental upgrades. Projects should demonstrate that the proposed improvements are technically appropriate for the building and are expected to generate measurable environmental benefits. Grant Amount and Duration Eligible organisations can apply for a large grant of up to £25,000.

Key funding details include:

Maximum grant: £25,000.

Project period: One year.

Purpose: Building retrofit, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Expected outcome: Measurable improvements in energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Applicants should explain how the funding will contribute to energy savings and broader environmental benefits. Who Is Eligible? The fund is intended for eligible community organisations operating in Wales. Organisations with an annual income above £500,000 are generally not eligible. An exception may be considered in exceptional circumstances, such as where a one-off capital grant temporarily increases an organisation’s reported income. Priority Applicants and Communities The fund places particular emphasis on projects that improve access and benefits for underserved or vulnerable communities. Priority may be given to organisations and projects that: Increase accessibility for underserved groups. Benefit vulnerable communities. Support people with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Operate in or benefit communities experiencing high levels of deprivation in Wales. Demonstrate strong environmental and community outcomes. Applicants should clearly explain how their project benefits the local community, particularly where it addresses inequality or barriers to access. Mandatory Energy Efficiency Survey One of the key requirements is an energy efficiency survey. Applicants must provide a survey conducted by a reputable external organisation.

The survey should help demonstrate:

Whether the building is suitable for the proposed retrofit. Existing energy-efficiency conditions. The suitability of the proposed upgrades. Potential energy savings. Expected environmental improvements. This assessment is important because the fund seeks to support projects with demonstrable energy and environmental benefits. What Environmental Impact Should Applicants Demonstrate? Strong applications should provide measurable evidence of the expected impact. Improvements in water efficiency where applicable. For example, a project installing solar panels should explain the expected energy generation and how this could reduce reliance on conventional energy sources. Why It Matters Community buildings can be important local assets, but older or inefficient buildings can have high energy costs and significant environmental impacts. Retrofitting these buildings can help organisations: Reduce energy consumption. Lower long-term operating costs. Increase renewable energy use. Improve building performance. Reduce environmental impacts. Make community facilities more sustainable. Maintain community services in the long term. The fund combines environmental sustainability with community benefit, making both the technical retrofit and its social impact important parts of an application. How to Apply Applicants should prepare their proposal around the building, proposed improvements, environmental benefits, and community impact.

A practical application process includes:

Confirm organisational eligibility. Check that the organisation is an eligible entity operating in Wales. Identify the building or facility. Confirm that it is a suitable community access building. Arrange an external energy efficiency survey. Use a reputable organisation to assess the building. Identify appropriate improvements. Determine which upgrades are technically suitable. Estimate energy savings. Provide annual or other measurable estimates where possible. Explain the environmental impact. Show how the project will improve sustainability or reduce environmental impacts. Explain the community benefit. Identify who uses the building and how the project will improve accessibility or services. Prepare the project budget. Ensure requested costs are clearly connected to eligible retrofit or environmental improvements. Submit the application according to the fund’s current application requirements. What Makes a Strong Application? A strong application should connect the building’s current problems, the proposed retrofit, measurable energy savings, and community benefits.

Applicants should:

Use evidence from the external energy efficiency survey. Clearly explain why the proposed upgrades are necessary. Provide realistic estimates of energy savings. Explain the expected environmental impact. Demonstrate that the building is suitable for the improvements. Show how the project benefits local residents.