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Find advice, funding and support for VCFSE organisations exploring community energy projects across the North West. Download our Community Energy GO briefing for practical guidance, and explore additional support available across the region, including Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region.
Community energy can give communities a greater say in local energy projects, while creating opportunities to reduce carbon, tackle fuel poverty and bring wider benefits to local communities.
There are a growing number of funding, advice and support opportunities available to community and voluntary organisations interested in exploring community-led energy.
We’ve brought together some useful starting points below, including Community Energy GO, the People’s Power programme, North West support and additional resources for organisations in Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region.
Community Energy GO provides free, tailored support for community groups that are just starting out, recently formed or developing an innovative renewable energy or low-carbon project for the first time.
Support can help groups to:
The programme offers two levels of support, from short, focused advice through to more tailored support for groups with more complex needs.
Read our Community Energy GO briefing
Find out more about Community Energy GO
The Government announced its People’s Power programme in September 2026, with the aim of giving communities greater control over local energy projects.
The programme includes the Great British Energy Community Fund, which provides funding opportunities for community energy projects.
There are opportunities for VCSE organisations to work with existing community energy groups or explore developing their own community-led energy projects.
Find out more:
The North West Net Zero Hub provides support for organisations and communities developing community energy projects across the region.
The Hub can provide information around Great British Energy funding and encourages organisations interested in developing projects to make contact early.
Find out more about Great British Energy support from the North West Net Zero Hub
There are also community energy networks, resources and practical support available specifically in Greater Manchester.
Carbon Co-op works with Greater Manchester Community Renewables to host Fuelling Greater Manchester , an informal network bringing people together to share ideas and peer learning around community energy.
Carbon Co-op also has information and recent reports on community energy, including its Guide to Solar for Community Organisations, which is aimed at groups in the region.
Explore Carbon Co-op’s community energy resources
Read the Guide to Solar for Community Organisations
Carbon Co-op has also launched a free smart metering service for the VCFSE sector in Greater Manchester.
The service can support organisations to:
Find out more about the smart metering service
If you’re exploring community energy in Liverpool City Region, you may be interested in the Unlocking Community Energy Liverpool City Region event on Friday 30 October 2026.
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is developing support around community-led energy initiatives and is interested in hearing from organisations across the sector about their experiences and ideas.
The event will bring together groups from across the city region to share learning, develop community energy ideas and make connections with people who can support projects.
The event will provide an opportunity to:
Register for Unlocking Community Energy Liverpool City Region on Eventbrite
Luca Biagioni luca.biagioni@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
Sadie Grace Sadie.Grace@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
If you’re a VCFSE organisation interested in community energy, there are several routes into support depending on where you are and what stage your idea is at.
Information and funding arrangements can change. Please check the relevant organisation’s website for the latest details before applying or making plans.
