Applications are now open to apply for the Northern Gas Network (NGN) Affordable Warmth and Safety scheme.

This scheme funds local initiatives which help vulnerable customers with gas safety, basic energy advice, and fuel poverty support. Your organisation must be working in NGN’s network area to apply (please note that for this round we’re not able to fund groups working in Hull).

Grants of £5,000 – £16,000 are available for project delivery between 1 September 2025 and 31 January 2026. 

We aim to support organisations working with and led by a range of communities and across different areas. For this round of funding, we particularly welcome applications from organisations:

• Supporting LGBTQ+ communities
• Working in rural locations
• Working in Northumberland

The deadline for applications is Friday 27 June at 11am. Please download our application pack where you can find out more and access the online application form link.

You can preview the application questions here; however please submit your application using the online form linked in the application pack.

Information for applicants webinar

We’re hosting an interactive webinar for applicants where you can find out more about the scheme, what we’re looking for in the application form and ask any questions you might have. It will be a friendly and welcoming session hosted by our team at the Centre for Sustainable Energy.

The webinar will be on Tuesday 17 June from 10 – 11am, you can register to attend here.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants are typically organisations such as warm spaces, food banks, youth clubs, charities supporting refugees, charities supporting families, and digital inclusion charities.

They need to be legally incorporated organisations, operating within the NGN license area, and have experience of providing support to vulnerable households.

Support for successful organisations

Training and resources will be provided to successful applicants and so previous experience in the energy advice sector is not required. This fund is aimed at supporting grassroots organisations that have experience supporting vulnerable households in their community.

Impact of the funding

Below are some examples of previous successful applicants and the work they were able to achieve as a result of the NGN funding.

Cleveland Housing Association

Since 1992, the Cleveland Housing Association has offered advice, advocacy, and representation in welfare, housing, debt, and related issues for residents living in the North East. With the funding, they have supported 220 households in affording basic energy use at home for lighting, cooking and heating.

The NGN funding, and training provided by CSE, enabled our staff to deliver energy advice to local people.

They worked with a 71-year-old living alone in a privately rented property who suffers from several health conditions that make them vulnerable to cold weather. After providing the client with a range of energy advice and tips, a carbon monoxide alarm was installed and they were supported in claiming an extra £200 per week from the Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit. This also means they will be eligible to claim the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment next winter.

Give a Gift

Give a Gift supports refugees, asylum seekers, people experiencing poverty and other disadvantaged communities by providing food parcels, support with finding housing and advice, advocacy for clients and other short-term financial assistance. Give a Gift shared with us that their team is now more confident and informed when delivering tailored energy advice, supporting with fuel poverty, and identifying hidden needs.

The training and support from CSE and NGN have significantly enhanced our organisation’s capacity to assist vulnerable households.

As a result of the funding, they were able to support a single mother with two young children who was struggling with high energy bills and a broken heating system. She had been relying on a small electric heater, which was expensive to run, and was worried about keeping her children warm.

Give a Give used the funding to provide her with an energy voucher to help cover her electricity costs, contact her landlord to repair her boiler, sign her up to the Priority Services Register and provide energy-saving advice for managing her heating.

As a result, the client shared that the support had made a huge difference and that she felt much more in control of her energy bills.

If you have any questions about the scheme, please email ngncommunity@cse.org.uk or call 0117 363 4248.