Community funding

All surplus from our community owned solar farms supports local projects

The community fund is managed by YCE and a panel of independent advisors.

Yealm Community Energy Bubble - Solar Panel
Yealm Community Energy Bubble - Banner
Yealm Community Energy Bubble - Town

Good ideas come in all shapes and forms.

Grants are awarded annually to help local groups with small and medium sized projects with impact in the short term. We've previously supported causes involving:

  • Community organisations
  • Schools
  • Social enterprises 
  • Charities
  • Parish councils

The YCE 2024 community fund is open!

The annual community benefit fund round opens for applications on Monday Feb 12th 2024. We're actively inviting discussions with individuals and organisations with big ideas that can benefit our community. Please view our application information below for more information.

Here are some of the projects we've supported

Net Zero Heroes

This group champions the reduction of harmful emissions. They have visited local schools, delivering assemblies and workshops. The funding also enabled 1,500 packs to be developed and delivered. The project has saved 87,000 tons of carbon emissions.

Net Zero Heroes
Newton Ferrers Outdoor Environmental Classroom

“With fantastic support given by Yealm Community Energy, we were able to part-fund an outdoor classroom and woodland pond that have been fantastic teaching aids for our biology and woodland ecology lessons.”

Newton Ferrers Outdoor Environmental Classroom
Brixton Community Compost Scheme

“Being muddy and often flooded, we took the decision to create an all‑weather facility by installing a concrete pad. The upgrade was completed at the end of 2020 and we were fortunate to be given a £1,000 grant by Yealm Community Energy to put towards the total cost for the work.”

Brixton Community Compost Scheme
Holbeton Village Hall

Village halls are at the heart of rural communities, but maintenance can be costly. Our grant has enabled the trust to upgrade the heating system with modern IR heating pads. Unlike the old system, these new heaters give off no light, meaning they can be kept on during films and plays. No more shivering during performances!

Holbeton Village Hall
Brookings Wood

"I thought I would send you a couple of photos from the opening ceremony of our new shed which took place last Saturday 18th Feb. We very much appreciate the grant we received from Yealm Community Energy that helped us make this purchase."

Brookings Wood
Yealm Community Electric Transport

The sponsorship and support for a community owned electric ferry on Yealm Estuary, (Yealm Community Electric Transport), where we provided initial funding until the project could be established as a separate standalone Community Interest Company.

Yealm Community Electric Transport
Yealm Estuary to Moor

The Yealm Estuary to Moor (YEM) is a long-term community project aimed at improving the health of the River Yealm and encouraging biodiversity along its length by creating a wildlife corridor along the length of the river.

Yealm Estuary to Moor

Investing in the future of our community

We firmly believe that a strong and vibrant community is built upon the collective efforts of its members. By fostering local involvement, we create a sense of belonging and empowerment that transcends individual contributions. When we come together to support local projects, we strengthen the very fabric of our neighborhoods.

Why we choose environmental projects

Yealm is not just a place we live; it's a space we share with a diverse array of flora, fauna, and natural beauty. Preserving the unique environmental character of our region is a collective responsibility, and environmental projects play a crucial role in this endeavor.

Get involved

We launched a community share offer in 2023 to fund the transfer of three nearby operational solar farms into community ownership. The offer is now closed.

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Yealm Community Energy Bubble - Team
Yealm Community Energy Bubble - Town