Local businesses, community organisations, and charities are invited to reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs with funding from East Devon District Council (EDDC).

Examples of projects that may be eligible for the Carbon Action Fund (CAF) include LED lighting, reducing, or reusing waste in production processes, as well as the installation of insulation, solar panels, and air-source heat pumps.

Up to 70% of the total cost of businesses’ projects will be covered by the funding, increasing to 90% for community organisations. CAF applications will be decided by a panel of EDDC councillors who will meet monthly until all funding has been allocated.

Grants of between £2,000 and £50,000 are on offer. In special cases, grants of up to £100,000 may also be considered for larger scale decarbonisation projects, but applicants must contact EDDC’s Economic Development team before applying.

The CAF is part of EDDC’s Carbon Action Programme, a comprehensive support package providing organisations with the tools and resources they need to decarbonise. The programme includes access to free carbon surveys and reduction plans, which CAF grant applicants will need to provide. The number of fully-funded carbon surveys and reduction plans are limited, so organisations are encouraged to sign up today to avoid missing out.

Councillor Paul Hayward, EDDC’s Portfolio Holder for Economy and Assets, said: 

“Decarbonisation is a key objective for EDDC, as outlined in the new Economic Development Strategy. We are excited to launch this new scheme, which is the biggest package of financial support for businesses to decarbonise that the council has ever managed.”

“Working with Business Information Point and Cosmic, we’ve ensured that bespoke on-site support for applicants is a core component. This will help busy organisations become more sustainable and reduce their energy costs.”

For more information about the East Devon CAF and to make an application, visit www.eastdevon.gov.uk/caf.

This grant scheme has received £540,537 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and £36,260 from the Heart of the South West Local Growth Fund.