You are here:

ARCHIVE: Working with rural communities

Rural low carbon community ‘test-hubs’ get up to £500,000 each

12 rural communities in England, Wales and N Ireland have been selected to become low carbon ‘test-hubs’ in a £10m Government research programme.  The Low Carbon Communities Challenge (LCCC)  recognises that Government doesn’t have all the answers to helping facilitate the drive to low carbon sustainable lifestyles that is needed if the UK is to meet its renewable energy and carbon reduction targets in an efficient and affordable way. 

The LCCC is a two-year research programme designed to test delivery options for achieving ambitious cuts in carbon emissions at community level.  It will provide up to £500,000 and advisory support to a total of 22 test communities. Its aim is to support both technical innovation and understand the social changes that are needed to help meet carbon reduction targets in rural and urban areas.

Communities will be supported through dialogue, but also through practical help from a range of third sector partners (including the Carbon Trust, National Energy Action and others).  Partnerships with the UK Research Councils have also been developed to support a range of research, with academics linked to local communities.

The LCCC represents a new approach to policy making and this is recognised by the Cabinet Office, who have chosen the project as one of three 3 demonstration areas for their ‘Listening to the front line’ initiative. The work, aims to reconnect policy making with front line professionals and ensure that those who develop policy do so in close partnership with the people who are responsible for its implementation.

Examples of rural projects supported in:

Page last modified: 19 March 2010
Page published: 19 March 2010