Southwark Council announced it has relaunched the Southwark Community Energy Fund (SCEF), where local groups and schools can apply for up to £60,000 in funding, writes Niall Holden…
The SCEF, which also ran in 2024 and 2025, provides grants of up to £60,000 to local schools, faith groups and community groups for green energy projects based, or working in Southwark.
So far the SCEF has granted over £800,000 to 46 community groups, schools and Teaching Regulation Authorities’s to help them improve energy efficiency of buildings, or to run workshops and training sessions.
Director of Westminster Youth Club and Nunhead Youth Centre, who have so far received two rounds of funding, Katie Worthington said: “SCEF supported us to make the move from gas heating to electric to maximise the benefits of our existing solar panels.
“This first phase saw our annual bills drop from £11,000 to £2,000. In round two they supported the installation of battery and solar panel optimisers which we hope will see our bills drop to zero in 2026.”
There has also been a ‘Call for Ideas’ for innovative energy projects that don’t fit the funding criteria, to help inform future funding rounds and support offered by the council.
The application window closes on Friday 24 April 2026.
Councillor John Bateson, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business said that he is ‘delighted’ to be reintroducing the SCEF that will put power in the hands of communities.
He said: “The success of our first two rounds has shown us the popularity and potential for community-led climate action in Southwark.
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“With another round of funding, we are continuing to support our community groups to take control of their energy, tackle carbon emissions and reduce fuel poverty.”
Full information on the fund, including details on requirements, eligibility and scoring criteria are available on the council website.
