Community Funding

As part of our guiding co-operative principles, the Westmill board firmly believes that Westmill Solar’s success depends on a thriving local community and more widespread support for renewable energy both in the UK and globally.

Thanks to the strong financial surplus of the solar park and the generosity of members, substantial sums are now allocated each year to benefit our communities. Examples of organisations that have benefited from community funding include WeSET and The Low Carbon Hub. Successful applications to the 2022 community benefit fund can be found here.

The Westmill Solar Board is keen to achieve increased social and environmental impact. As part of our expanded community benefit activities, we run a community grants scheme. Eligible non-profit community organisations in Oxfordshire or within 25 miles of the Westmill site can apply for grants between £500 and £5000.

We are looking for community benefit projects and activities that align with our aims (climate change awareness, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fuel poverty & energy equity) and one or more of these co-operative principles: Community; Sustainability; Education, training and sharing information; Co-operation (with co-operatives and similar social enterprises).

The 2023 Community fund has now closed.  The application process will be re-open in Summer 2024 however we do not know an exact date just yet so please keep checking the page for future updates.

For info, detailed guidance notes and application forms (Word or PDF) can be downloaded below.

Do you know of a community building (such as a village hall, youth club, community centre, school, church, or other faith building) that could reduce its energy, water and waste?

Our community buildings grant programme, run with the support of The Low Carbon Hub, has proved extremely popular.  The scheme is offering community buildings a free energy audit to help assess actions to reduce energy use and create repeated savings.

Audit recommendations are presented with estimated installation costs, financial savings and pay-back periods so they can prioritise which measures they want to fund.

Although we have now allocated the current round of funded audits, you are welcome to register your interest in a community building audit using the Register Interest button below.  This will add you to a waiting list held by The Low Carbon Hub.

The audit will be carried out by our partner EiE, a not-for-profit organisation based at Oxford Brookes University that supports UK organisations to reduce their energy, water, and waste.