Environmental Grants & Support
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Funding for businesses
Net Zero Innovation Fund Suffolk
The Net Zero Innovation Fund Suffolk is a fund, worth £100k, which has been set up to help businesses work toward achieving net zero. It is being funded by public sector leaders, via all district councils, in Suffolk. Carbon Charter are coordinating the fund on their behalf.
The grant will likely be between £2000 and £20,000, but other amounts may be considered (depending on the proposal).
There is no formal application process yet, but one will follow. In the meantime, you are able to email peter.frost2@suffolk.gov.uk for more information.
You are also able to read the grant's eligibility criteria
Plug In Suffolk
The Plug In Suffolk project is designed to improve electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure across the county, and provide an alternative for those who do not have access to off-street parking. The project provides open access community charge points across the county.
Installation of the charge point is funded by Plug in Suffolk, and the charge point will be maintained for a minimum of seven years - at no cost to the site holder.
You can submit an expression of interest online.
Funding for community groups
The Council provides funding to certain community groups and projects, described below.
Community Development Grants
We want to encourage - and financially support - new and innovative projects, to help local communities and organisations deliver local initiatives and activities in places where gaps in provision have been identified.
Our Community Development Grants will be available to either revenue or capital projects. There is an allocation within the fund for pre-project costs (such as feasibility studies).
Grants are available to cover up to 100% of your project costs (up to a maximum of £20,000). Successful applicants will need to deliver their project within 12 months of an offer being accepted.
Eye Wind Turbines
Funding is generated on a yearly basis for projects within a 10km radius of the wind turbines at Brome Industrial Park, formerly Eye Airfield.
Up to £5,000 can be applied for from community groups or projects within Eye, Yaxley, Brome and Oakley, Mellis and Thrandeston. Additionally, groups in parishes not listed but within the 10km radius of the turbines may apply for up to £1,000. The Grants Team can advise whether Eye Wind Turbines Section 106 would be available or applicable for your project.
Funding is available towards projects or initiatives that promote energy conservation, biodiversity measures, the promotion of renewable energy, landscaping or environmental mitigation.
Email the Grants Team to find out more about Eye Wind Turbines
View Section 106 Guidance about Eye Wind Turbines
Progress Power Community Benefit Fund
This funding has been secured as part of the development of the Progress Power Station at Brome Industrial Park. The fund seeks to support local communities and organisations operating within the parishes of Eye, Mellis, Thrandeston, Yaxley and Brome & Oakley.
Applicants can apply for a grant of between £250 and £10,000 for projects which demonstrate a wide community benefit and are fully inclusive.
The Progress Power Community Benefit Fund is open for applications, with applications being accepted until 30 June 2025. Applications are assessed by Officers before being decided upon by a Grant Panel comprised of local representatives.
View the scoring matrix used to assess applications
For more information, please read the Progress Power Community Benefit Fund Guidance Notes or email the Grants Team about the Progress Power Community Benefit Fund
Apply for the Progress Power Community Benefit Fund
Port One Legacy Biodiversity Enhancement Fund (POLBEF)
This funding has been secured as part of the development of the Port One Logistics Park in Great Blakenham. The fund is available to community groups within Barham, Bramford, Claydon, Great Blakenham and Little Blakenham towards projects enhancing biodiversity, wildlife habitats or community gardens. Up to £3,750 can be applied to, for up to 100% of project costs. The Fund opens for applications twice per financial year and is currently closed for applications, with the next application window opening in September 2025.
For more information and detailed guidance, read the Port One Legacy Biodiversity Enhancement Fund Guidance Notes or email the Grants Team
Suffolk Climate Action Community Match Funder
This fund is designed to assist charities, community interest companies, parish councils, voluntary groups and other not for profit organisations who wish to deliver carbon reduction projects that contribute to Suffolk’s Climate Emergency Plan and our work towards a net zero Suffolk. The fund will support up to 50% of costs (up to a maximum of £10,000) for applications demonstrating that others in the community support the project in the form of contributions from a minimum of two other sources (not including your own funds) to make up the remaining project costs.
What can we fund?
- Promoting walking and cycling
- The use of sustainable/recycled materials
- Raising awareness of climate change through events and campaigns
- Energy projects
- Bike to school buses
- and more!
To be able to demonstrate support from community sponsors, it is recommended that applicants use one of the many community fundraising platforms available online. Whilst we cannot advise you which one will best suit your project, there are many available. The value of time committed by volunteers in the delivery of the project can be counted towards the 50% funding you need to raise; more information is found in the guidelines below.
How does it work?
- Plan your project.
- Seek funding from others in the community.
- Submit a simple online Expression of Interest (EOI). If we think we can support your project, we will issue you with a conditional letter of intent to provide a grant, which may help you secure the remaining funds you need.
- Once you have reached at least 50% of your total project costs, comprised of donations from multiple unique sponsors, submit a full application form (part a and part b) to formally request a grant.
The Suffolk Climate Action Community Match Fund only has limited resources each financial year so do contact us early on if you are considering applying.
If you would like to learn more about the project, please contact Jess on Jess.Miller@suffolk.gov.uk. If you are developing an idea and need some advice please contact David Walton on david.walton@suffolk.gov.uk.
Please refer to the Suffolk Climate Action Match Fund guidelines before submitting an expression of interest or a final application.
Fill out the online Expression of Interest Form.
0% Loan Scheme for Homeowners
Looking to fund energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation, solar panels, batteries, glazing, or heat pumps? All are possible with loans of up to £15,000 to be repaid over a maximum of seven years – at 0% interest (Representative 0.2% APR).
See the website for more details
External funding
Great British Energy Community Fund
Formerly the Community Energy Fund
The Great British Energy Community Fund is a government programme which specifically funds community energy projects to do feasibility and development. £10m was made available through the fund initially in 2023 and the government has recently announced another £5m.
The aim of the fund is to help kickstart projects including small-scale wind farms and rooftop solar partnerships, as well as battery storage, rural heat networks, electric vehicle charging points, and fuel poverty alleviation schemes - all proposed, designed and owned by local people.
The fund will:
- support local jobs and encourage growth
- build stronger communities
- enable communities to directly benefit from clean, affordable and locally sourced energy
The fund is being administered by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub.
For more information - and to apply - please visit their Community Energy Fund webpage.
Aviva Community Fund
The Aviva Community Fund is in place to help local causes build stronger communities across the UK.
Aviva also offers access to volunteering and professional coaching opportunities, to help these causes build their capabilities and achieve long-term success.
Aviva's ambition to build a brighter future depends on how the following two challenges are resolved:
- Financial wellbeing: Helping people take control of their wellbeing, by providing them with the tools to be financially independent
- Climate action: Promoting healthy, thriving communities by preventing, preparing for, and protecting against the impacts of climate change
The funding is available for organisations who are looking to raise up to £50,000. Eligible projects can apply at any time.
For more information - and to apply - please visit Aviva's Community Fund webpage
National Lottery Climate Action Fund
The Climate Action Fund is our commitment to help communities tackle climate change. We're supporting communities to be environmentally sustainable.
With Climate Action Fund – Our Shared Future we want to involve more people in climate action. And we want to inspire bold and exciting change.
We’ll only fund projects developed in a formal partnership with other organisations.
We’re looing for partnership projects that reach more people by either:
- linking climate action to the everyday lives and interests of local communities. And inspiring them to take action.
- influencing communities at a regional or national level. Like linking up groups across locations. Or a campaign that inspires change across one country, or the whole UK.
You do not have to be a climate or environment focused organisation to apply.
We want to reach people who are new to climate action by funding other types of organisations too. And by using people’s everyday activities as a starting point for climate action.
We're particularly interested in projects that involve people, places and communities experiencing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage.
Area: UK-wide
Suitable for: Formal partnerships, working across sectors. Led by community and voluntary organisations or public sector organisations.
Funding size: The minimum you can ask for is £500,000. We expect to fund most projects for between £1 million and £1.5 million over 3 to 5 years. We may fund a small number of larger or longer projects. Contact us if you would like to discuss this. We aim to fund around 25 projects.
Total available: £30 million
Application deadline: You’ll be able to apply until at least the end of May 2025. We will announce the final deadline nearer the time.
Stour Valley Environment Fund
The Dedham Vale National Landscape and Stour Valley has established the Stour Valley Environment Fund (SVEF) to support charities and voluntary groups working to enhance the environment in the Stour Valley.
The Stour Valley Environment Fund is both donation seeking and grant giving, and provides a channel through which individuals, families, companies or charitable trusts can support the Stour Valley landscape.
By pooling donations into one charitable Fund we can have a much more powerful impact to support environmental activities in the Stour Valley. The fund is expected to grow over the years with donations, legacies and investment.
The Fund will consider grant applications of up to £2,500 from voluntary and community organisations working to enhance the environment and community life in the Stour Valley area, on both Essex and Suffolk sides of the river Stour.
To apply to the SVEF
Please visit Essex Community Foundation website for the general grant application form and guidelines.
For further information or to discuss a grant request, please call Essex Community Foundation’s grants team on 01245 356018 or email the Essex Community Foundation grants team
Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme
Registered Charities, Community Interest Companies, Co-operative Societies and Community Benefit Societies can apply for funds to deliver energy related projects lasting up to two years.
How much? A minimum of £20,000 can be requested.
No deadline.
Apply for funding from the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme
The Stobart Sustainability Fund
Supports non-profit organisations, community groups and educational facilities to transform their local community through projects that tackle climate change, reduce carbon emissions or that protect and enhance the environment.
Who Is Eligible?
We welcome application to the Stobart Sustainability Fund from community groups, educational facilities or small businesses. Applications need to be of a green, ecological or sustainability nature with the project benefiting the environment.
Apply to the Stobart Sustainability Fund if you have a green initiative or project that needs help with funding.
Funding for residents
Warm Homes Suffolk Loan
Suffolk County Council are offering interest-free loans to help make residents' homes warmer, safer and cheaper to run.
Energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation, solar panels, batteries, glazing, or heat pumps are possible with loans from £2,000 to £15,000 to be repaid over a maximum of 7 years - at 0% interest.
Suffolk Retrofit Assessment Voucher Scheme
Homeowners in Suffolk are able to apply for a voucher that covers the cost of a professional retrofit assessment on their home property. These assessments are the first step towards making their home more energy-efficient, lowering their energy bills and reducing their carbon footprints.
Residents who own a home with an EPC band of below C can take up the offer of a voucher to claim an assessment from a PAS 2035 Retrofit Assessor who will identify the best measures that could be deployed in their home to improve energy efficiency.
Such measures may include, for example, insulation, draft proofing, ventilation repairs, low carbon heating and energy generation (solar panels). The report will also incorporate analysis of the cost vs benefit of implementing the suggested improvements.
The voucher will entitle them to a cost-free assessment if the size of their property is smaller than 98m2, with a maximum additional charge of just £30 for properties bigger than this.
How to apply: Apply for the vouchers. Applications will be open from 22 November 2024 and vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Suffolk Loft Insulation Offer
The Suffolk Loft Insulation Offer enables homeowners in Suffolk to receive a 50% discount (up to £200) and free delivery on orders of 200mm or 370mm wide eco-friendly, itch-free thermal insulation rolls from High Loft, the UK’s leading eco loft insulation brand.
Last winter, the project enabled over 5,000m2 of roofs in Suffolk to be insulated. This year, the Suffolk Climate Change Partnership want to double that figure.
The offer is open to anyone in Suffolk right now and will only close once the allocated funding has been spent. So, whether you are looking to top up your existing insulation or insulate from scratch, this offer is for you.
How to order:
- Get your unique discount link: Visit the High Loft website and fill in a short form or call High Loft’s insulation experts on 01706 248203 to receive your discounted order link.
- Order: Use your unique link to order your loft insulation online through the High Loft website.
- Enjoy: Sit back and enjoy your warmer, more climate-friendly home, and your lower energy bills!
ECO4 Scheme
The ECO4 scheme is here to help you save money and improve your home. Eligible customers living in a home with a low EPC rating will be offered a package of energy-saving measures and heating improvements through the ECO4 scheme. This scheme is not limited to boiler replacements or upgrades.
Cosy Homes (Mid Suffolk)
The Cosy Homes Initiative is a £2 million Energy Efficiency Initiative dedicated to making your home warmer, more economical to heat, and more environmentally friendly this winter.
The new initiative aims to assist Mid Suffolk residents enhance the energy efficiency of their home, which will help them save on energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint. Find out more about the Cosy Homes initiative
Prepayment Meter Scheme
Do you have a prepayment meter and live in Suffolk?
Did you know that households on prepayment meters typically pay more for their fuel? On average prepayment meters are £100 more expensive per year than paying by direct debit. There are fewer tariff options, and an un-used meter will still use credit for standing charges.
We have funding for a new project to support prepay meter households with FREE energy advice and support. Our goal is to make your home warmer and healthier with decreased energy bills.
We can help with free home surveys to identify the following:
- Households needing emergency fuel payments
- Support to switch away from prepayment and switching suppliers for suitable customers
- Free draught proofing to reduce energy costs
- Referrals for debt advice and support to avoid disconnections
- Energy tips and tricks to reduce bills
- Advice and signposting on a range of other housing support
Please contact Warm Homes Healthy People on 07769 365796 or email prepay@eastsuffolk.gov.uk if you would like to book a survey or find out more.
Great British Insulation Scheme
The £1 billion Great British Insulation Scheme aims to help some families insulate their homes.
Families in lower council tax bands with less energy-efficient homes will be offered upgrades such as roof, loft or cavity wall insulation. Customers will be able to use an online checker for the Great British Insulation Scheme to find out if they are eligible. The tool will ask a series of questions – including how they heat their home, whether their home has solid or cavity walls, and if they are receiving any benefits.
A separate online checker has also been launched for the Home Upgrade Grant, which will help off-the-gas-grid homes that have an energy performance certificate rating of D to G. The grant provides energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating to households in England.
Customers using the online tools will then be referred to either their energy supplier, for support from the Energy Company Obligation programme and Great British Insulation Scheme, or their council for the Home Upgrade Grant.
Connected for Warmth
Connected for Warmth is an award-winning grant scheme offering FREE energy-saving measures to homes across Britain, that can help you reduce your energy use and stay warm and well.