ENVIRONMENTAL groups can join a network of like-minded organisations and gain advice and funding to support their projects, following an event run by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC).

The event marked the first anniversary of the launch of EHDC’s energy strategy and was aimed at community groups and parish and town councils.

Adam Carew, the district council’s portfolio holder for environment, opened the event with a review of the strategy’s successes so far and highlighted some of the exciting initiatives under way.

He said: “East Hampshire is aiming to be one of the greenest rural authorities in England. We’d like to support a network of groups in the community delivering renewable energy projects for the benefit of local people.

“We have already committed funding for the retro-fit programme for local householders, and produced a heat demand map for the district. We look forward to the roll-out of charge-points for electric vehicles, and developing ideas for a wood fuel supply hub for the area.

“We are building a network of community groups, environmental campaigners, town and parish councils who are interested in low-carbon initiatives. Our aim is to provide community leadership and facilitate mutual support in addressing climate change and switching to more sustainable lifestyles.”

Representatives from town and parish councils and greening groups attended the December meeting at Penns Place in Petersfield and learned about how to apply for grants from the Rural Community Energy Fund.

Energy Alton has already benefited from the funding for a feasibility study for installing solar photovoltaic panels and shared the lessons learned.

Hampshire Renewable Energy Co-operative also provided a helpful insight into the pros and cons for organisations establishing community energy projects and securing funding to deliver them.

Break-out sessions discussed how EHDC can facilitate and support organisations, and how schemes can be identified, funded and governed.

Follow-up events are planned for the next year to help with taking the first steps for renewable energy projects, setting up governance structures, and ways to use new media to build engagement with your community.