The Mayor's Climate Change Fund 2020-2024 can provide up to 50% match funding (up to £20,000) for improvements that reduce carbon emissions and energy costs of community buildings within Bedford Borough. Projects can be made up of multiple building improvements up to the maximum grant available.

An up-to-date building energy certificate is required which will also help provide ideas for building improvements that give the most benefits, The Mayor's Climate Change Fund can contribute 50% towards the cost for a new certificate.

Discover if your building has a current certificate and details of qualified assessors who can provide a quotation for a new one here.

Any building improvements that reduce carbon emissions will be considered and might include; solar panels, low energy lighting, upgrades to windows and doors, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, natural daylight systems, rainwater harvesting systems, external and internal wall insulation, heating systems upgrade, boiler replacement, secondary glazing, solar thermal systems, wind and hydro turbines, and ground or air source heat pumps.

Local case studies

• The Place Theatre: Hydro Kit to replace gas boilers
• Stewartby Sports Club: Low energy lighting, entrance doors, and floating ceiling
• The Place Theatre: Air source heat pumps
• Scott Lower, Brickhill Lower, and Beauchamp Middle Schools: Solar panels
• Stewartby Village Hall: Infrared Heating System
• All Nations Church - LED Lighting
• Bedford Road Primary - Double Glazing
• Greys Primary Provision - Loft insulation
• Kempston Centenary Hall - Solar panels and LED lighting
• St Marks Church - Low energy lighting

Who can apply?

• Voluntary and community groups 
• Not for Profit organisations
• Public sector including schools and parish councils 
• Registered charities 
• Social enterprises 

What is the funding available for?

• 50% match funding for eligible projects
• 50% funding for the issue of an Energy Performance Certificate for buildings with eligible projects
• 50% funding for pre-application planning advice for eligible projects

Register an interest

If you think the Climate Change Fund could benefit a community building your group or organisation uses, please register an interest here and we will be in contact to discuss further.

Ready to apply for funding?

Step 1 

Review an up to date building energy certificate

Step 2 

Obtain quotes for building improvements that deliver best value for reduction of carbon emissions, and be able to demonstrate that half the funding is in place 

Step 3

Complete an application for the Climate Change Fund 

To apply for funding you will need:

• A current energy certificate for the building such as an energy performance certificate (EPC) or a display energy certificate (DEC)
  • Check if your property already has an energy certificate and find a qualified assessor who can provide a quotation for a new one a quotation for a new one here
  • The Mayor’s Climate Change Fund can help with 50% of the cost of a new building energy certificate once you have a quote, apply here - CCF Building Energy Survey Application 
• Proof of the legal status of your organisation
  • For example, a copy of your constitution, registered charity number or bank statement
• Three comparable quotes that are currently valid for each building improvement in the project
  • Find traders that are approved members of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute
  • Find further traders with help from Citizen’s Advice
• An estimate of the annual reduction in carbon emissions and energy costs that the project will deliver
• Confirmation of any permissions needed for the work such as planning permission or permission from building owner.
  •  Find advice and information from the Bedford Borough Council Planning team at Planning and Building. 
  • The Mayor’s Climate Change Fund can provide half the cost of pre-application planning advice from Bedford Borough Council that is specifically for your project, apply for this funding here -  CCF Pre-App Planning Advice Application once you have confirmed any charges with the Planning department
• Evidence that 50% of the funding is already in place
• A declaration of bank accounts, savings, and assets for the last accounting year and/or bank statements from the last three months in the organisations name
• A signed copy of acceptance of the terms and conditions

How to apply

Complete the Mayor’s Climate Change Fund application form.

Please read and complete the declaration for the terms and conditions before applying.

What next?

The Environment Team will make an initial assessment of your application, applications that pass this stage will then be reviewed by a panel of Councillors for a final decision, applicants will be notified of the decision within thirty working days.

If successful you will be asked to sign the Council’s Funding Agreement, provide monthly progress reports until the project is completed, complete a case study template following completion, and submit an annual monitoring report at 12, 24 and 36 months from the date of project completion.

Further enquiries

To find out more and for further enquiries, contact us at climatechangefund@bedford.gov.uk

Useful resources

We’ve put together this collection of resources for community buildings and schools that we hope you find useful. If you have any suggestions for resources that could benefit other Climate Change Fund projects, please do let us know.

For community buildings

• Centre for Sustainable Energy: A fantastic collection of resources for community buildings, schools and educators, community projects, neighbourhood planning, help to find funding, and renewable energy projects
• Centre for Sustainable Energy: A guide to improving Energy efficiency in community buildings
• Energy Efficiency in community buildings 
• Carbon Trust: Find resources and tools to help your organisation achieve your sustainability goals
• Energy Saving Trust: Support for communities building a sustainable future
• The Church of England: A guide to renewable energy
• Parish and town councils: Ways to tackle climate change
• UK Green Building Council Solutions Library
• Community Energy: A guide aimed at local groups who are interested in setting up a community energy project
• Funding for All: Help with funding 
• Bedford Borough Libraries have collected some websites you may also find of interest
• Energy advice for businesses

For schools

• Let’s Go Zero 2030: Schools working together to be zero carbon
• Carbon Trust: A whole school approach
• Centre for Sustainable Energy: Find resources for schools and educators
• St Winifred’s Primary School: A short film of Year 6 children reflecting on RAFT workshops carried out between February and July 2020 at St Winfred's Primary School in Lewisham, London.
• Climate change and schools: A carbon management strategy for the school sector
• Department of Energy and Climate Change – “Power to the pupils”, Solar PV for schools, the benefits
• Bedford Borough Libraries have collected together some really useful websites for children, try the Environment, Recycling, and Renewable Energy collections
• Energy advice for schools