The Northwest Regional Development Agency's Carbon Challenge Fund will help the region successfully adapt to, and mitigate against, the impacts of climate change whilst increasing the regions energy security.

The Carbon Challenge Fund delivers a key action of the Northwest Climate Change Action Plan with regards to supporting and promoting projects which have demonstrable carbon savings, signify the development of a low carbon economy and exemplify best practice in the move towards a low carbon economy.

The Carbon Challenge Fund will support the deployment of low carbon technologies by minimising the risk of investment in new and innovative technologies, processes and approaches by demonstrating and monitoring their effectiveness, providing an incentive for adoption and demonstrating leadership.

Who Can Apply?

• The public sector e.g. schools, local authorities, hospitals, universities, housing associations.
• The private sector, social enterprises and registered charities
• Householders and individuals are not eligible.

Grant Rate and Award

The first competitive funding round will make up to £2,000,000 of funding available. Additional funding rounds will be run as required. Both public and private sector applicants may receive up to 50% grant funding. The maximum award will be £500,000 and the minimum £100,000.

Type of Technology or Project

The bullet points below indicate the principle types of demonstration projects which may be supported.

• Energy efficiency
• Renewable (including small scale) and low carbon energy generation and distribution for heat, power and cooling
• Low carbon design and construction techniques
• Low carbon transport technologies and processes
• Climate change adaptation

Expression of Interest Form and Guidance Notes for the Applicants

All applicants are required to read the Guidance Notes (download by clicking here) in full before completing the Expression of Interest Form.

Bidders Briefing - 21st July, Birchwood Park

On 21st July we held a Bidders Briefing to allow all potential applicants to learn more about the fund, eligible projects, the scoring criteria as well as to ask any questions relevant to their projects. In addition to the Guidance Notes for Applicants we would recommend all applicants making themselves aware of the following presentations and documentation:

• Freuqently Asked Questions - Version 2 (download here )
• Contact details of sub-regional partners (download here )
• Presentation 1 - Climate Change Action Plan and Carbon Challenge Fund (download here)
• Presentation 2 - State Aid and other legal aspects (download here)
• Presentation 3 - Other NWDA grant funded programmes (download here )

Alternatively, download all the above documents as one package in Zip format by clicking here .