Request for Applications: London Community Energy Fund (UK)

Deadline: 25-Sep-2026

The London Community Energy Fund (LCEF) provides grants to support community-led projects across London that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy action, and strengthen local resilience. The fund forms part of the Mayor’s commitment to making London a carbon net-zero city by 2030. It recognises the important role community energy groups can play in reducing, managing, and generating energy while delivering direct benefits to local communities. Funding is available through several streams, with grants of up to £10,000 for feasibility projects, £60,000 for delivery projects, and £3,000 in micro-grants for development costs. A total of £1.3 million is available across all funding streams.

About the London Community Energy Fund

The London Community Energy Fund is designed to empower local organisations to take collective action on energy and climate change. The programme supports community organisations that want to: - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. - Reduce, manage, or generate energy. - Promote awareness of clean energy. - Strengthen community resilience. - Address the impacts of climate change. - Help communities become more resilient to high energy costs. The fund supports projects at different stages, from early feasibility work through to delivery and organisational development. Supporting London’s Net-Zero Ambition LCEF is part of the Mayor’s commitment to making London a carbon net-zero city by 2030. Community-led action is an important part of this ambition because local organisations can develop projects that respond directly to the needs and opportunities within their communities. By supporting feasibility studies, delivery projects, and organisational development, the fund helps community groups move from ideas to practical clean-energy action. Funding Available The London Community Energy Fund has several funding streams.

Organisations can apply for:

- Up to £10,000 for feasibility projects. - Up to £60,000 for delivery projects. - Up to £3,000 through development micro-grants. Across all streams, the total grant funding available is £1.3 million. The different funding levels allow organisations to seek support according to the stage and requirements of their community energy project. Feasibility Grants Feasibility projects can receive grants of up to £10,000. This funding can help community organisations investigate whether a proposed carbon-reduction or clean-energy project is viable. Feasibility work can be particularly useful for organisations that need to assess an idea before moving toward implementation. Delivery Grants Delivery projects can receive up to £60,000. For delivery projects, the grant can cover up to one-third of capital costs. This stream is intended for projects that are ready to move beyond feasibility and toward practical delivery and installation of carbon-reduction technologies. Applicants should clearly demonstrate the project’s expected carbon-reduction and community benefits. Development Micro-Grants Development micro-grants provide up to £3,000 for development costs. The development fund stream offers ongoing micro-grants from October 2026 to September 2027, or until the £100,000 funding ceiling is reached. This stream can help community organisations develop their capacity and progress their community energy activities. Community-Led Carbon Reduction Projects LCEF supports community-led projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Projects can focus on practical measures that help communities reduce their carbon footprint while also generating wider local benefits. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed project contributes to carbon reduction and how community members will benefit from the initiative. Clean Energy Awareness The fund also supports projects that promote clean energy awareness. Community organisations can use supported activities to help local people understand clean energy, energy use, and opportunities for community-led climate action. Awareness and engagement can help communities participate more actively in the transition to cleaner energy. Carbon-Reduction Technologies Delivery projects can include the installation of carbon-reduction technologies. Applicants should explain how the proposed technology will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and why it is appropriate for the community project. The delivery funding stream can provide support toward capital costs, subject to the one-third limit. Building Organisational Capacity LCEF also recognises that community organisations may need support to develop their capacity before or alongside delivering energy projects. Development funding can help organisations strengthen their ability to plan and implement community energy initiatives. This is particularly relevant to smaller organisations that are developing their first energy-related project. Community Resilience The fund aims to strengthen community resilience to climate change and high energy costs. Community energy projects can provide benefits beyond emissions reduction by helping local organisations and communities respond collectively to changing environmental and economic pressures. Applicants should explain the wider community benefits that their project is expected to create. Who Can Apply? The fund is particularly targeted at small organisations with charitable aims operating in London.

Eligible organisations include:

- Registered charities. - Community and voluntary groups. - Co-operatives. - Faith groups. - Equalities groups. - Social enterprises. - Community interest companies. - Community benefit societies. - Tenants’ and residents’ associations. - Tenant management organisations. - Housing associations. - Schools working with community groups. Applicants should ensure that their organisation meets the relevant requirements for the funding stream they intend to apply for. Small Community Organisations LCEF places particular emphasis on small organisations