Suffolk and Essex groups invited to apply for £20,000 community funds along new power line route

Community groups across Suffolk and Essex can now apply for grants of up to £20,000 to support local projects, as National Grid launches a new community fund linked to its Bramford to Twinstead electricity network upgrade.  

Applications have opened for the fund, offering charities, volunteer groups, clubs and parish councils the opportunity to secure funding for projects that will deliver practical benefits in communities closest to the route. The Local Fund forms part of a wider £4.2 million community funding programme linked to the Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement project. 

This is the first National Grid project to deliver a Community Fund under Government guidance, marking the start of a targeted programme to ensure lasting benefits for the people and places that host infrastructure, shaped by public engagement. The Bramford to Twinstead project will upgrade the electricity network between Suffolk and Essex, helping to increase capacity and support the delivery of cleaner, home-grown energy as demand for electricity is set to double in the coming years.   

The Community Fund has been shaped through engagement with residents, councils, charities and community groups, with more than 180 people helping to identify local priorities and where funding can deliver the greatest impact.   

What the Local Fund will support  

• Improving community spaces and helping buildings save energy  
• Supporting physical health, mental well being and social connection  
• Protecting the environment and improving access to green spaces  
• Creating opportunities for young people, education and skills  
• Helping communities respond to cost-of-living pressures   

Grant levels available  

Up to £5,000  
Up to £10,000  
Up to £20,000  

Applications will be managed by independent partner Localgiving, through a simple process designed to support organisations of all sizes.   

Emma Turner, Head of Socioeconomic and Community Benefits at National Grid, said: “This is the first project where National Grid is delivering a Community Fund under Government guidance, marking a step change in how we ensure communities directly benefit from the infrastructure they host.  

“Through the Bramford to Twinstead Local Fund, we’re supporting projects that matter locally, from improving community buildings and reducing running costs, to supporting well being, enhancing green spaces and creating opportunities for young people.  

“We encourage eligible organisations to use the postcode checker and apply, setting out how their proposal will deliver clear, lasting benefits for local people.”  

 The application window for the first round of funding closes on 26 June. Full eligibility guidance, application details and a postcode checker are available at:  www.localgiving.org/bramford-to-twinstead-community-fund   

 For more information about the Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement project visit:  
Bramford to Twinstead | National Grid