Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the north of England’s gas distributor, has announced the names of the successful projects that will receive grants from its £50,000 Community Promises Fund.

The Community Promises Fund, which is now in its second year, offers grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 to third sector organisations and community groups with innovative approaches to delivering sustainable initiatives associated with Energy Saving, Fuel Poverty, Carbon Monoxide Awareness and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects across areas of the north of England served by NGN.

After applying at the end of last year, the nine projects benefiting from the 2018 funding programme are: Age UK in Gateshead, Citizen Advice in Newcastle, Community Voice FM Ltd in Cleveland, Hartlepower C.I.C. in Hartlepool, Highfield Food Co-op in Keighley, National Energy Action, Stockton and District Advice, Information Service (SDAIS), The Canopy Housing Project in Leeds and Yorkshire Energy Doctor CIC.

The community projects include a whole host of innovative campaigns, from supporting vulnerable people with dementia access the Priority Service Register (PSR) to organising Carbon Monoxide (CO) awareness sessions and provide information on being more energy efficient.

Leeds Community Foundation (LCF), a charity dedicated to creating positive change in local communities, will distribute the grants.

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy at Northern Gas Networks, said: “The diversity of the applications for the Community Promises Fund has been fantastic. The nine successful applications demonstrated a variety of innovative, sustainable initiatives which will help encourage behavioural changes through raising awareness and putting actions in place that will help to address the challenges associated with fuel poverty in their community.

“Community groups, and other local organisations, play a fundamental role in helping to identify and assist those who are in need and I’m very much looking forward to working with them on their exciting projects and their efforts to help make a difference to local people’s lives.”

Pip Goff, Grants and Programmes Director at Leeds Community Foundation, added: “We are delighted to once again partner with Northern Gas Networks to distribute much needed funding across the north of England to alleviate fuel poverty, generate awareness and education on energy efficiency. The Community Promises Fund will bring real change through local action.”

The successful applicants are now working closely with NGN, LCF and each other to share best practice and get access to helpful tools and advice to support them with the delivery of their projects.

NGN will be sharing regular updates throughout 2018 via their website and social media channels, and showcasing some of the excellent work the nine projects will be carrying out.

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.