Funding available for projects aimed at fighting climate change

A philanthropic fund designed to help find and drive solutions to fighting the climate crisis is once again open for applications for outreach and community programmes that need cash.

The University of Salford’s Friends of Energy House 2.0 Impact Fund is looking for new applications from initiatives that are focused on flighting the climate crisis as we work towards creating a net zero world.

We are now accepting applications from those interested in applying for funding focused on educational outreach programmes and community initiatives. The deadline for applications is 24 July 2023.

Friends of Energy House 2.0 is a community of like-minded industry partners who are committed to fighting the climate emergency and supporting the world-leading research of Energy House 2.0, a £16 million test and research facility that is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Labs and the University of Salford, said: “The team at Energy House Labs are passionate about making a difference and the establishment of the impact fund was part of this mission. While our work supports issues such as net zero and cost of living, we wanted to find new ways to support the local community in sustainability issues, better link with schools and colleges and address access to education.

“We are thankful to all the partners who committed funds and the successful projects, whose efforts have helped deliver our aspirations.”

In 2022, the Impact fund supported the following three innovative projects:

1. Digital Advantage’s The Sustainable Box Project – The creation of the Energy House in kit form to be used in classrooms alongside a set of challenges to provide students with a hands-on, experimental programme that encouraged them to explore STEAM subjects and careers.
2. University of Salford Arts Collection Team’s Artist in Residence – Supporting two artist residencies in Energy House Labs to create awareness of the vital work of the Labs and engage the public in developing a better understanding of energy efficiency, sustainability, and climate change in thought-provoking and meaningful ways. The project will close with an exhibition at Castlefield Gallery in Spring 2025, alongside a public engagement programme.
3. Marple Education and Spotlight School of Speech and Drama’s The School Green Summit – Designed to raise awareness of sustainability issues by developing the work of the Greater Manchester Green Summit to be more accessible for young people. The team worked with experts to create impactful lessons and spoken word exercises to improve the understanding of sustainability for teachers and young people; the spoken word exercises took the form of a competition, with the winning students performing at The School Green Summit.

We are delighted to announce that D+H UK, Ibstock, Elmhurst Energy, Persimmon, Project Better Energy, RSK, Thermocill and Veritherm have joined Friends of Energy House 2.0, alongside our existing partners; Barratt Developments, Bellway Homes, Electricity North West, HG Capital and Seddon Construction.

If you are interested in being a ‘Friend’ of this exciting scheme, industry partners are asked to make a donation of £10,000 to the Friends of Energy House 2.0 Impact Fund, which will focus on driving the activity of the new facility and enhance its social impact.