A community carbon grants scheme to help reduce carbon emissions is set to be rolled out later this year by Erewash Borough Council.

The scheme, part of the Shared Prosperity Fund – Investing in our Communities, will offer financial assistance to eligible community and charitable organisations to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings they use and reduce carbon emissions. The council will also continue to offer energy efficiency upgrades to eligible householders under the scheme. These projects have been allocated £400,000 over three years from the council’s £2.8 million share of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Councillor Garry Hickton, Lead Member for Environment, says:

“This is a fantastic project that will improve the energy efficiency of people’s homes and also help community groups and charities reduce carbon emissions from the buildings they use. This is at a time when everyone is having to pay more for heating due to rising energy costs.”

The council continues to work with partners to provide energy efficiency improvements to eligible homes in the borough using funding provided by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. This scheme has seen a number of properties fitted with energy saving measures such as external wall insulation and solar panels, resulting in warmer homes and lower carbon emissions.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.