How to accelerate your Community Energy project

February 2014Pure Leapfrog registered Charity No. 1112249

Company No. 05534395 registered in England & Wales

Creating the right building blocks

Who are we …

Pure Leapfrog - the leading provider of social investment and professional support to community energy projects in the UK. 

We are a business led charity working with Government, investors and communities.  

We bring together affordable finance and accessible expertise. – Finance is secured through a credit facility from Big

Society Capital.  – Expertise is provided by our professional partner network.  

Our mission is to ensure that community energy becomes a significant part of the sustainable energy mix in the

UK.“

“

Pure Leapfrog in numbers

Supported over 100 groups

Working with 4 local authorities

Loaned £1m Over 20 projects

financed Over £6 of benefit

for every £1 loaned 5,000+ hrs of pro

bono professional services

Groups supported

Trusted for collaboration

“

Aim of workshop

Understand what the key components arein delivering a successful Community Energy Project

PETRA (Havering), mission control

Green social impact

Can you combine renewable & energy efficiency projects with delivering social impact?

Dummy scenario

You’ve joined your local group in Sunnyton There are ~100k inhabitants in the locality Mix of social housing stock, industrial parks and

large fields nearby Your vision – Carbon neutral, lowering fuel

poverty

1. The Team

Working group 1

Task: Build a dream team

Consider:Skills requiredHow to recruitAvailable resourcesAddressing motivations

Working group 2

Task: Turnaround a team that has run out of steam

Consider:Stock takeResult of weak teamWhat are opportunitiesHow to remedy

The Team a la Village People

The Technician

Authority figure

Law enforcement Local Hero Commander Logistics

Technical expert Chair/CEO Professional

Services Comms Business Process Admin

Contracts negotiator. Technology

expert

Big picture. Can round up, marshal and

lead the team

Knows the law.

Can work a spreadsheet

Public engagement.

PR and Marketing

Planner. Sees things through to

the end

Attention to detail.

Negotiates risks

* You can mix and match

Mixed motivations

Tree-hugging £ Bottom Line! Politicking Well-being

What excites one person may or may not interest another. Play to each others strengths!What excites one person may or may not interest another. Play to each others strengths!

Long game

What are some of the long term issues?

2. Business Planning

Working group 1

Task: Outline the plan of action

Consider:StakeholdersRisksValue propositionWhat does success look like?

Working group2

Task: Outline pitfalls of getting it wrong

Consider:What can go wrong?RisksCommercial vs volunteer run enterprise?What does failure look like?

Risks

What are some of the risks?

Value proposition

Why you?

3. Key Stakeholders

Working group 1

Task: Create a pitch to a local authority

Consider:What do you need to cover?Approach - community group vs commercial entity?What do you bring to the table?Who do you need to engage?

Working group2

Task: You are a local authority. How do you respond?

Consider:Who needs to sign off?What are the risks?What are the processes?What are the pros and cons?

The Local Authority PoV

What are the pitfalls?

Go forth!

What’s next?

Successful ingredients

Commercially savvy

Good story to tell Addressing local

needs A passionate team

with a long view Adaptable Keeping it simple

Team Building

Where to go:Online: Project DirtAdvertise e.g. supermarketWord of mouthTown hall meetingsLocal fairs

Supporting organisations

Pure Leapfrog Share Energy Energy4All Scene Network Energy Saving Trust Low Carbon Hub Co-ops UK Co-op Enterprise Hub Repowering

Wrapping up

Any Questions?

Eden House, 23-25 Wilson St, London, EC2M 2TETel: +44 (0)20 7825 4141

www.pureleapfrog.orgPure Leapfrog registered Charity No. 1112249

Company No. 05534395 registered in England & Wales