The Seeing is Believing project connected councils and community groups with similar goals, sharing real project examples through tours and site visits. It provided opportunities for meeting the innovators and experts, and demonstrating how successful collaborations have developed and the positive impact this has had in the North East and Yorkshire.

Alongside the tours, a series of networking events and matchmaking took place, encouraging new partnerships between community groups and local authorities in the region.

The project was funded and delivered by the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub, in partnership with Community Energy England, Ashden and Centre for Sustainable Energy. Participants included local authorities, community energy organisations, voluntary sector groups, schools, faith groups, community hubs and industry professionals.

Five ‘Seeing is Believing’ tours took place, led by Ashden, highlighting different kinds of community energy projects in Newcastle, Sheffield, Bradford, York and Hull. Site visits included rooftop solar, heat pump and battery projects, a district heat network, a solar farm and retrofit projects.

Linked to the tours CSE facilitated in person networking events in regional cities and online events to strengthen relationships between Community Energy Groups, Local Authorities and other relevant stakeholders. At these events we engaged with 135 people from many different types of organisation. It was particularly encouraging to engage with those active in their communities but not currently linked with community energy to share knowledge and discuss opportunities for their communities.

CSE has a strong track record in community engagement, climate action planning and supporting local authorities. Our involvement built on earlier work delivered for the NE&Y Net Zero Hub through the Community Energy Masterclass programme. As a result of the Seeing is Believing programme we have a pipeline of 15 groups ready to support through our new Community Energy Go project, taking them to the next stage of their community energy journey. Participants also benefitted by gaining access to a host of other resources provided by CSE and partners including Future Energy Landscapes toolkit, Solar Wizard and Energy Learning Network resources.

Through the Seeing is Believing project CSE has strengthened relationships with the NE & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub and partners Ashden and CEE, and made new connections in the North-East.

People who attended events appreciated the variety of topics covered and felt it valuable to meet like-minded people, especially people new to the space. Raising awareness  of how supportive the community energy sector is and the wealth of help and case studies available, helped to build confidence.

Webinar links

Local Authority Matchmaking (kick-off)

The role of community energy in decarbonising public buildings

Understanding public procurement for community energy

De-risking community energy projects: Strengthening collaborations with local authorities