The government is keen to promote projects in schools that promote energy efficiency, and there is funding available for eligible schools and eligible projects. With costs of energy set to stay high for the foreseeable, and as schools and academies look to find ways to pay for increased energy bills over the coming months and years, we look at potential sources of funding schools can apply for to become more efficient.
Condition Improvement Fund (CIF)
The annual CIF round is one potential route. The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is an annual bidding round for eligible academies, sixth-form colleges and voluntary aided (VA) schools to apply for capital funding. Schools and academies are able to apply for funding for projects that address significant condition need, with a focus on keeping buildings safe and in good working order, in particular including those that address health and safety issues, building compliance and poor building condition.
The past few years has seen the CIF take a leaning towards projects that promote energy efficiency.
As school consultants dealing within the education sector, we will always look for best long-term value when specifying projects – and this will often mean looking for ways to incorporate additional energy saving materials and processes into a project.
Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS)
Additionally, a specific round of funding – PSDS Phase 3b scheme – that focuses on the decarbonisation of heat, is currently open. One advantage of PSDS funding is that a bid can cover a whole package of combined works e.g. replace the heating, and upgrade the whole external fabric (roofs, windows, etc.) – meaning that projects can take a more ‘wholescale’ approach, rather than being on a project by project basis.
When applying for any government funding, having an eco-friendly outcome should be high on the agenda. Projects that are able to demonstrate a long-term move towards energy reduction or a reduction in carbon usage will usually be prioritised over those projects that do not.
For more information or to obtain our advice in relation to a school funding application, please get in touch. Our team, led by Michael Harrison and Paul Dignan, has a great deal of experience and has helped schools across the North West obtain over millions of pounds of funding for hundreds of different projects at schools, academies and colleges.
