Community organisations across Shropshire are being urged to take advantage of a new grant scheme that could make dreams of solar or wind powered buildings a reality.

As part of its ongoing commitment to tackling climate change, Shropshire County Council is putting its hand in its pocket and offering to help local groups improve the sustainability of their buildings.

The Big Lottery is currently running the ‘Community Sustainable Energy Programme', which offers funds to not-for-profit organisations like schools, charities and faith groups for the installation of renewable technology on their buildings. The first step is a feasibility study, which examines the best way on installing the technology on a given building.

Feasibility studies can cost thousands of pounds, and under the Big Lottery fund a grant of 75% of the cost is available, with the community group expected to find the other 25%. However, Shropshire County Council is offering to pay most of this cost, limiting the amount of money the community group needs to pay to only £50.

The funding from Shropshire County Council for this scheme is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. All community groups in the county should consider the ‘Community Sustainable Energy Programme' and by doing so take a giant step in reducing their carbon footprint by using solar, wind or wood burning technologies. You can find out more by contacting us on 01743 277119, email danny.lenain@mea.org.uk or logging on to communitysustainable.org.uk

The Big Lottery is awarding grants for feasibility studies and for capital installation projects. Funding of £1 million is available for feasibility studies and £8 million for capital projects. Eligible technologies include wind turbines, solar, heat pumps and wood fuelled boilers.