Peer mentoring and training available for energy co-ops

Co-operatives UK has launched a free scheme designed to drive new and existing community energy groups forward. Community Energy Mentoring enables community energy groups to benefit from support...

Co-operatives UK has launched a free scheme designed to drive new and existing community energy groups forward. Community Energy Mentoring enables community energy groups to benefit from support from experienced and trained mentors.

The mentors will provide up to six days help in navigating 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 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. Co-operatives UK champions the co-operative community energy sector and has helped 40 co-operative organisations raise £13.5 million – from around 8,000 members – through the Community Shares Unit.

“This new initiative will further support growth within the community energy sector.”

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 mentee group.

Support is open to all community energy projects, and not just co-operatives. For example community interest companies and development trusts can receive support.

Earlier this year, Co-operatives UK led in successfully lobbying government to safeguard investment in community energy co-operatives. It rallied 70 community energy co-operatives and the Social Economy Alliance to back calls for an exemption for energy co-ops from damaging Budget 2014 legislation.

In May 2014, HM Treasury announced an amendment to the Finance Bill stating that community energy co-ops had their exemption, allowing those organisations to continue attracting community investment.

• For more information, visit: energymentoring.org.uk

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