Centre for Sustainable Energy - Funding
The Centre for Sustainable Energy are a national, independent energy charity based in Bristol offering funding to grassroots organisations to provide energy saving advice and support to vulnerable households to help them stay safe and warm. The scheme is funded by three gas distribution networks: SGN, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), and Wales and West Utilities (WWU).
UK households continue to face high energy costs and many also face the challenge of hard to heat housing. Since 2021, energy prices have almost doubled, and as of early 2026, it’s estimated that around 6.7 million households across the UK are living in fuel poverty. Nearly half of low-income households remain in homes that are hard to heat, leaving millions exposed to cold, damp conditions that harm their physical and mental health.
The Safe and Warm Grassroots Communities scheme is creating a network of organisations providing crucial support to people with energy-related needs and other crisis interventions. Many organisations will reach people who otherwise wouldn’t access energy advice and support, for example because of being in an underserved geographic area or demographic community.
It’s particularly focused on helping people who will struggle to stay safe and warm over the cold winter period. But we know that it’s not just the winter months that are tough, and advice and support is needed through the year.
Grants of £8,000 - £14,000 are available for projects to deliver:
Personalised energy advice
Carbon Monoxide safety awareness
Support to join the Priority Services Register (a simple sign up which offers extra security and support in the event of an unplanned power outage)
Other wellbeing and crisis support including benefits checks, support with digital skills and support to access emergency funding schemes
This fund is aimed at small, grassroots organisations who have experience supporting people who are vulnerable and most at risk of fuel poverty. Training will be provided to successful applicants so previous experience providing energy advice is not required.
Organisations must be based within the SGN, NGN and WWU network areas and project delivery should take place between 1 September 2026 and 31 May 2027.
The deadline to apply is 11am on Monday 10 August 2026.
We strongly recommend reading the application guidance before starting your application. Download the guidance here.
Find out more and how to apply here.
We’re also hosting two informational webinars, where you can find out more about the scheme, get tips on what we’re looking for in the application and ask questions. The sessions will be recorded so if you can’t make it, please register anyway and we will share the recording and slides. Both sessions will have the same content.
1pm, Thursday 16 July – register on Zoom here.
1pm, Wednesday 29 July – register on Zoom here.
Please feel free to share this opportunity within your networks. If you have any questions, get in touch at safeandwarmcommunities@cse.org.uk