Take Charge of Your Community's Energy Future
Are you part of a small community in rural County Durham or Northumberland? Are you looking for ways to reduce your energy costs and do your bit for the environment? The Climate Action in Rural North East (CAIRN) project is here to help you take control of your energy usage and make a positive impact on the climate crisis.
Why This Matters to You
Rural communities like ours often face unique challenges. We rely more on private transport, often use expensive heating oil, and struggle with poor infrastructure. Energy costs can be high, and it’s not always easy to access the same support and services available in larger towns. But by working together, we can change that.
CAIRN is all about supporting small communities to take charge of their energy needs and find practical, long-term solutions that benefit everyone.
What We’re Doing
Community Energy Projects
We'll work to support communities looking to start their own local energy projects across the patch where there is strong community support.
Durham Energy Association Ltd (DEAL) is a not-for-profit initiative helping to deliver sustainable, reliable energy to community buildings across County Durham
Energy Advice for Households
We’re offering free, independent advice to 500 households across County Durham and Northumberland on how to transition away from using fossil fuels. Our experts can visit your home and provide tailored suggestions to help you save money and lower your energy consumption.
For more information please contact Isla Ballard on 07496 461986 or email isla.ballard@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk
Next Steps
Carbon Assessments
Whole-community carbon assessments will help us understand where we can make the biggest impact. We’ll identify practical ways to reduce emissions and plan for future upgrades in homes, businesses, and community spaces.
Training and Skills Development
We’ll be running training sessions on energy efficiency, renewables, and retrofit assessments. This will equip people with the skills to make a difference in their own homes and communities.
Inspiring Young People
Through partnerships with schools and youth groups, we’re engaging the next generation to understand how many small actions can make a big difference in tackling the climate crisis.
Resources
Community Buildings - a Guide to Property Ownership and Leases
DCA has produced a new resource, Community Buildings – a Guide to Property Ownership and Leases, authored by Sintons Law, to assist trustees in navigating legal issues related to property. To request your copy of the guide email info@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk
Simpler Recycling: Workplace Recycling in England
Workplace recycling in England changed on 31st March 2025.
Great British Energy Community Fund
Funding of up to £140,000 is available to help parish and town councils, community organisations, faith groups, community interest companies and even sports teams get started on clean power projects that benefit their local areas.
The Great British Energy Community Fund is the first grant programme for community energy projects funded by Great British Energy – the new publicly-owned energy company.
North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub Great British Energy Community Fund
Event Feedback: Energy, Sustainability and Community Buildings
On 19th March 2025 delegates gathered at Jubilee Fields Community Centre in Shildon to celebrate the impact that community buildings make to the places that we live and work.
The Energy, Sustainability and Community Buildings event also brought people together to look at enhancing energy efficiency in community buildings and hear about a new County Durham energy company being developed to support them.
Read the report from the event here
Further information about the community energy initiative and the full presentations are available below:
- Energy, Sustainability and Community Buildings - Fiona Christian, Durham Community Action
- Rural Community Energy in County Durham - Liz Gray and Hilary Anderson, Rural Design Centre
- Community Energy Model - Dr Paul Cowie, Rural Design Centre.
How You Can Get Involved
We believe small communities can lead the way in creating a greener, more sustainable future. By joining forces, we can lower energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and build a brighter future for rural County Durham and Northumberland.
Get in touch today to learn more about how your community can get involved. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Contact Us
For more information or to join the project, contact Isla Ballard:
- Email: isla.ballard@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk
- Phone: 07496 461986
Let’s make a difference, one community at a time.
The Partnership behind CAIRN
Durham Community Action (DCA), Community Action Northumberland (CAN), the Rural Design Centre (RDC) and the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) have come together in partnership to deliver a joint project to support communities and residents take climate action across rural Northumberland and Durham.
The project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
