A new initiative called energyshare is helping people come together to save even more energy and generate their own renewable energy.

They’ve just launched a fund of up to £500,000 to help projects get started.

energyshare is looking to fund projects that aim to save or generate energy locally, and will benefit the local community.

Have you got an idea? Apply for funding…

If you’re part of a group that would like to save or generate your own energy, and you have an idea for a new project - simply set up a group on energyshare and register for the fund.  It’s easy to register, just fill in the form and start inviting supporters, friends and community members to join your group.

For an idea of what other people are doing, watch this video about a community hall that cut running costs by 90% by installing renewable energy.

You can also watch films about ways other communities are using renewable energy on energyshare.

Vote on which projects get funded

By getting involved in energyshare you can also vote on which projects get funded. Take a look at projects on the energyshare map to see the brilliant ideas people are putting together.

Take challenges, get rewards

energyshare also has lots of great tools to help you monitor your energy use and take steps to cut your consumption. You can log your energy use against the national average – are you doing better than the rest?  Take a challenge to cut your usage further and you’ll get rewards for each challenge you take!

This is just the beginning

energyshare’s founding partners, River Cottage and British Gas are committed to finding more funding. As a start British Gas are committed to distributing a further £3m to community renewable projects through the energyshare fund over the next 3 years.

energyshare is a 100% renewable energy community, giving everyone in the UK the opportunity to get involved in sourcing, using, and generating your own renewable energy.

The deadline to register and gather supporters for this first round of funding is 31st May 2010.

To get involved visit the energyshare website.

• Email this page