News / Bristol city leap
£460K distributed to boost community level decarbonisation
A public-private partnership, dubbed as a “blueprint” for decarbonisation at city level, has completed the third round of funding which distributed £145,000 among 12 new initiatives.
Bristol City Leap has awarded the funding from its £1.5m Community Energy Fund, which supports community-led decarbonisation initiatives.
The recent round allocated nearly £145,000, bringing the total funding awarded across all three rounds to over £460,000.
Beneficiaries include a wide range of local organisations such as Friends of Jubilee Pool, The Churches Conservation Trust and Bristol North West Foodbank.
The award-winning partnership brings together Bristol City Council, Ameresco and Vattenfall Heat UK.
Launched in 2023, City Leap has undertaken a range of initiatives to support its decarbonisation efforts, including rolling out retrofits, community energy funding, energy audits, feasibility studies for Air Source Heat Pumps, thermographic surveys and community workshops.
One initiative will run sessions in St Paul’s and Fishponds, focusing on home energy improvements, solar power and other sustainable solutions.
“The success of these initiatives will catalyse further positive change throughout the city,” said James Sterling, communications and social value manager at Bristol City Leap – photo: Milan Perera
One of the beneficiaries of the latest funding round, St Werburghs City Farm, has expressed its delight at the transformative impact the support will have on its future.
Jenny (Jen) Howard Coles, director at St Werburghs City Farm, said: “The development grant awarded to St Werburghs City Farm by Bristol City Leap, through the Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund, is going to make a really big difference to the long-term sustainability of the charity.
“The grant is funding a series of technical surveys of our buildings, which will enable us to plan effectively for the future. Some of our buildings are reaching the end of their useful lives, and in making plans for their redevelopment, we need to understand much more about their fabric, structure, condition, and the ground beneath them.”
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St Werburghs City Farm supports adults experiencing mental ill-health and isolation, adults with learning disabilities, and children who are struggling in mainstream education. The funding will help the charity redevelop its facilities in a way that enhances both sustainability and accessibility.
“By contributing to the redevelopment of our spaces,” Jen added, “Bristol City Leap is helping us improve the long-term sustainability and accessibility of our site – enabling us to better serve our community for years to come.”
James Sterling, communications and social value manager at Bristol City Leap, highlighted the importance of empowering communities to reduce emissions.
He said: “By investing in community-driven energy projects, we are empowering the residents of Bristol to take significant steps toward decarbonisation.
“The success of these initiatives will catalyse further positive change throughout the city. Our commitment to collaborating with the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across Bristol is reflected in the Community Energy Fund, which demonstrates the positive impact that we can achieve by supporting communities on their path to decarbonisation.”
Martin Fodor, chair of Bristol City Council’s environment and sustainability committee lauded the decarbonisation efforts of Bristol City Leap – photo: Green Party
The Community Energy Fund is jointly financed by Ameresco and Vattenfall, and supports efforts to lower fossil fuel use, improve energy efficiency, with the aim of connecting more areas to the Bristol heat network.
Martin Fodor, chair of the environment & sustainability committee at Bristol City Council, said: “We are excited to announce the latest round of funding, which will enable even more communities to contribute to Bristol’s decarbonisation efforts. Achieving our climate goals demands action at all levels, both big and small.
“This fund is specifically designed to empower communities to take meaningful steps. From enhancing energy efficiency to implementing renewable energy projects, these initiatives will engage many people and help drive substantial progress towards a sustainable future for everyone.”
The fourth round of funding is now open, with a deadline in September and decisions due in October 2025.
Past beneficiaries of the Community Energy Fund include Woodland Church – photo: Woodland Church
Grants and zero-interest loans are available to eligible organisations across Bristol postcodes (BS1–BS16), while microgrant applications remain open year-round.
The £1.5m Community Energy Fund, created through contributions of £750,000 each from Ameresco and Vattenfall, is a vital component of Bristol City Leap’s efforts to support sustainable energy initiatives across the city.
“We are proud to support a diverse array of remarkable projects that empower communities to take charge of their energy consumption,” said Dom Barton, director of at Vattenfall Heat Networks.
“The wide range of heat-related initiatives, encompassing both heat generation and connection, underscores the ongoing growth and vitality of community heat in the city.”
For more information, visit www.bristolcityleap.co.uk/community-energy-fund/
Main photo: Bristol City Leap
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