National Grid has opened applications for new local community benefit funds supporting three major energy infrastructure projects — Yorkshire GREEN, Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1), and Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2). These funds will provide grants of up to £20,000 to eligible community projects and initiatives in County Durham, the East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire. The aim is to ensure that local communities benefit directly from the development of the UK’s energy network.
The Yorkshire GREEN, EGL1, and EGL2 projects form part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest transformation of the UK’s electricity network in decades. Together, these projects will strengthen the grid, enhance capacity to connect cleaner and more affordable energy, and create opportunities for local employment and supply chains.
National Grid’s new Local Community Funds are specifically designed to benefit areas most affected by construction activity. Registered charities, non-profit organisations, community benefit groups, parish and town councils, and other local non-profits delivering social, environmental, or educational value are encouraged to apply.
Developed through extensive research and community consultation, the funds focus on supporting initiatives that reflect local priorities. Funding can be used for projects that promote education and STEM learning, environmental protection, energy saving, community space improvements, cost-of-living support, employability, and health and wellbeing initiatives.
Applications for the funds opened on 5 November, with the process managed by Localgiving to ensure accessibility and responsiveness to local needs. Emma Bennett, National Grid’s Head of Socioeconomic and Community Benefits, emphasized that these funds aim to create long-term, positive impacts for communities near the projects by supporting initiatives that truly matter to local people.
Full details, including eligibility criteria and application guidelines, are available on the dedicated community benefit fund websites for each project — Yorkshire GREEN, EGL1, and EGL2.
