Local benefits unlocked as new community funds open for major energy upgrade projects in Yorkshire and County Durham
Applications are now being accepted for local community benefit funds for Yorkshire GREEN, Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) and Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) projects.
Grants up to £20,000 available to communities in County Durham, the East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire to support community projects and initiatives.
As construction gathers pace on the Yorkshire GREEN, Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) and Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) projects, National Grid is inviting applications to apply for its new Local Community Funds, which will provide grants of up to £20,000 for community projects in parts of County Durham, the East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
These funds are part of National Grid’s commitment to ensure that the benefits of The Great Grid Upgrade, the biggest overhaul of the electricity network in generations, are shared locally as well as nationally. Yorkshire GREEN, EGL1 and EGL2 will strengthen the electricity network, increase capacity to connect cleaner, and more secure energy from more affordable sources while supporting local jobs and supply chains.
Through these dedicated local funds, National Grid is supporting communities closest to its construction activity on the Yorkshire GREEN, EGL1 and EGL2 projects. The community funds are open to registered charities, non-profit companies and community benefit organisations including parish and town councils and other locally based non-profit groups that deliver social, environmental or educational value.
This funding is part of a new community benefit programme, designed to deliver lasting benefits that reflect what matters to the community. National Grid’s approach to developing the local community funds has included desktop data research, interviews with charitable organisations and wider community engagement.
The funding can support projects in key areas including:
- Education and Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) opportunities
- Environmental protection and green spaces access
- Community spaces and saving energy
- Cost of living help and employability support
- Supporting health and wellbeing
Applications opened on 5 November, with National Grid partnering with Local giving to manage the process and tailor each fund to local needs. The project teams are now encouraging residents, community groups and stakeholders to share the application information with local eligible groups and organisations.
Emma Bennett, Head of Socioeconomic and Community Benefits, said:
We want to support communities to create a lasting and positive impact for people living and working near our projects.
Working together with communities in Yorkshire and County Durham, we can ensure these funds support what local people care about most. We’re looking forward to hearing from eligible organisations with projects that will make a real difference for their local community.
More details on how to apply and the detailed eligibility criteria can be found on the project's community benefit websites:
• EGL1: www.localgiving.org/egl1-local-community-fund
• EGL2: www.localgiving.org/egl2-local-community-fund
• YG: www.localgiving.org/yorkshire-green-local-community-fund