Community Benefit Fund
Your Community. Your Fund.
Welcome to the Harmony Energy Community Benefit Fund, supporting projects that make a real difference in the communities around our sites. The fund provides support for grassroots initiatives, local charities and neighbourhood groups that matter most to people living locally.
With an open and transparent application process, everyone has a fair chance to apply. Local voices help shape how the funding is used, ensuring each contribution creates a positive and lasting impact.
We hope you can find all the information you need here, but if you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact our team. We’re always happy to help.
A track-record of delivering meaningful funding during a cost of living crisis.
Our sites go beyond supporting the delivery of a clean, homegrown energy system that the nation can be proud of. From installing solar power for community initiatives such as schools and local farms, to sponsoring local races and events that enhance physical and mental wellbeing, and supporting education through pollination workshops and facilities that enhance special educational needs, the Harmony Energy Community Benefit Fund is here to support and invest in the communities around our projects.
Supporting matters that enhance your community
Enabling community events and groups to be financially sustainable
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Community Benefit Fund?
The Community Benefit Fund supports local projects, groups and organisations located near Harmony Energy’s renewable energy sites. It ensures that communities hosting our projects receive meaningful and long term benefits.
How much funding is available?
Funding levels vary depending on the type and size of the project:
- Battery Energy Storage (BESS) projects: typically around £100 / €100 per MW installed each year, with a minimum annual fund of £5,000.
- Solar projects: typically around £200 per MW AC installed each year, with a minimum annual fund of £10,000.
- Germany: BESS projects typically receive €150 per MW annually due to local expectations.
All financial contributions are index-linked, so the value of the fund keeps pace with inflation.
How long does the fund run for?
- Annual payments throughout the project’s lifetime
- Annual payments for a set number of years
- A one‑off lump sum at the beginning of the project
In some cases, the fund may launch earlier, such as during construction, where this is expected locally or where early support would benefit the community. In Poland and France, funds are established during the construction phase as standard.
Who can apply for funding?
- Registered charities
- Community groups and associations
- Community interest companies
- Charitable trusts and foundations
- Schools and academic institutions
- Parish councils
- Not‑for‑profit organisations
- Government‑linked or state‑owned entities (outside the UK)
All applicants must have an organisational bank account.
What types of projects can be funded?
Projects must deliver clear benefits to the local community. This may include:
- Improvements to community facilities or local infrastructure
- Education, skills or employment initiatives
- Health, safety or wellbeing projects
- Climate action or environmental initiatives
- Nature or biodiversity protection and restoration
- Waste reduction, reuse or recycling projects
Is funding guaranteed?
We carefully review all applications and aim to share the fund in a way that maximises local benefit. While funding isn’t guaranteed for every application, in most cases, it is an annual fund. Even if your project isn’t successful in the first year of the community benefit fund, we strongly encourage you to apply again in subsequent years so we can support a wide range of initiatives over the lifetime of a site.
What cannot be funded?
- Projects promoting political or religious objectives
- Repayment of existing loans or debts
- Applications from individuals
- Activities that do not benefit the local community
- Ongoing operational or running costs (such as annual insurance)
- Projects that replace statutory or government funding
- Retrospective funding for activities already completed
Which areas are eligible?
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through BizGive, an online platform used to manage the fund. Each project has its own BizGive page with a clearly advertised application window, usually open for around two months.
How are applications assessed?
Harmony reviews the applications against the fund’s objectives and local priorities. Harmony Energy may consult local community representatives in the decision making-process, then completes project due diligence and confirms the final awards.
When will I hear the outcome of my application?
- Successful applicants receive an invoice template and payment is made once the invoice is returned.
- Unsuccessful applicants receive feedback and are welcome to reapply in future rounds.
There is no appeal process.