A new free scheme designed to drive new and existing British community energy groups forward was revealed today.
The Community Energy Mentoring initiative will provide community energy groups with experienced and trained mentors to help them navigate the often complex financial, regulatory and organisational hurdles faced by ventures looking to develop community energy projects.
Delivered by Co-operatives UK and the Community Shares Unit (CSU) and funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the new mentoring programme will run until October 2015.
Ed Mayo, secretary general of Co-operatives UK, said: “The case for renewable energy and community ownership is compelling.
“I am delighted that this new initiative will further support growth within the community energy sector.”
In tandem with the CSU, the mentoring programme will work with established community energy organisations interested in passing on their knowledge and experience while acting as champions for community energy.
Due to the high number of community energy enterprises raising finance through share offers, approved mentors will be able to access CSU training in addition to receiving financial support to work with their groups.