Funded by the New Opportunities Fund, through the SEED Programme.

Contribution to sustainable development and people’s quality of life:

 Project's Objectives

• To improve the energy efficiency and affordable warmth of local communities and to tackle fuel poverty.
• To create a regional network of 'energy champions' in the East Midlands.
• To develop good practice for regional ‘energy champion’ schemes examine the financial sustainability and replicability of such schemes.

Organisation: National Energy Action (NEA)

Sector: Registered Charity & Company Limited by Guarantee, working in partnership with voluntary and statutory organisations throughout the East Midlands.

Location: East Midlands

Start Date: 14 February 2002

Duration: 12 months

Summary: This pilot project has created a network of ‘energy champions’ who provide basic energy advice in the homes of vulnerable people in deprived areas of the East Midlands. The project aims to improve energy efficiency and affordable warmth within local communities and to tackle fuel poverty by reducing up to 2,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, saving up to £250 per household visited per year.

Background: This project builds on previous work in communities in the region. It focuses on equipping community activists with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver energy efficiency advice to vulnerable members of the communities they serve.

Project results: This scheme targeted good quality energy advice at vulnerable people through trusted community activists. The scheme attracted 13 very committed Energy Champions and made advice and information available to those who may not have been reached by other statutory advice provision.

Keywords: Energy Efficiency

Contact Details:

Nicky Swetnam, Regional Co-ordinator – East Midlands

NEA East Midlands Office, C/o Groundwork Greater Nottingham

Denman Street East, Nottingham, NG7 3GX

Tel: 0115 970 4026
E-mail: nicky.swetnam@nea.org.uk
Web: Energy Champions Scheme

Updated: 24 April 2006