Winter Readiness Large Grants Fund: Fuel Poverty, Resilience and Warm Homes

Before you apply

Applicants are encouraged to discuss proposals with their local Place-Based Communities Coordinator or Connector before applying, although this is not mandatory. If you're not sure who to contact, please email communities@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 

For specific questions about whether your project meets the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) criteria or eligibility requirements, please contact the Anti-Poverty Team directly at crisis.resilience@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Please note: This email address is for organisations asking about the Crisis and Resilience Fund Large Grants only. It can be used for questions about eligibility, grant criteria and the application process. It is not for requests for individual support or advice.

If you need help for yourself or a resident, please visit Support with the cost of living. The page explains what support is available and how to access it.

Key information at a glance

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the full guidance before applying. Applications will be assessed against the requirements and priorities set out within it.

• grants of up to £25,000 per project
• funding theme: Winter Readiness - Fuel Poverty, Resilience and Warm Homes
• full project funding or match funding towards a larger project
• open to community groups, charities and local organisations working in Cambridgeshire
• supports projects that help prevent financial crisis and build long-term resilience
• suitable for new ideas, pilot projects or existing community initiatives
• funding must be spent by 31 March 2028
• projects must not already be funded through another source for the same activity
• Application deadline is 9 November 2026.

Apply now

Read the guidance and download the application form before applying.

Email your completed application and supporting documents to crisis.resilience@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

What is this funding for?

Winter Readiness: Fuel Poverty, Resilience and Warm Homes

We welcome applications from organisations that support and strengthen Cambridgeshire’s Warm Homes Single Point of Contact service. Projects should add value to existing provision, rather than duplicate it, and should provide:

• Energy advice and support to help residents understand, manage and reduce the impact of household energy costs and bills.
• Outreach and proactive engagement with households at risk of fuel poverty, particularly those who may not access existing support services.
• Support for residents with additional energy needs due to health conditions, disabilities or the use of essential medical equipment.
• Practical interventions that help residents create and maintain a warmer, safer home, improve energy affordability, and reduce the long-term risk of fuel poverty. This could include activities such as draught-proofing, energy-saving measures, home warmth initiatives, or other preventative approaches.
• Proactive training for professionals and organisations to help them to identify and support people living in cold, damp, or mouldy homes
• Projects that build residents' knowledge, confidence and financial resilience, helping them manage future energy and cost of living challenges.

Please note: Applications should show how the project will build long-term resilience, rather than only provide short-term crisis support. A limited element of crisis support may be included where it helps engage residents and provides a clear pathway to resilience-building activities.

Applications should also show how any immediate support will lead to lasting improvements. For example, improved skills, confidence, financial stability, social connections, or community preparedness.

We will not fund:

• Payment of personal fuel or utility debts.
• Large-scale home improvement, renovation or heating replacement schemes where alternative funding is available.
• General community activities with no clear link to financial resilience, fuel poverty or winter preparedness.
• The ongoing operating costs of warm spaces. However, we will consider applications for activities, initiatives, or targeted support delivered through warm spaces where these help people build longer-term financial resilience, improve their ability to manage household and energy costs, increase access to advice and support, or reduce the risk of future fuel poverty.
• Food provision as the primary activity.
• One-off events with no lasting impact or follow-on support.

Who can apply?

Applications are welcomed from eligible not-for-profit organisations including:

• registered charities
• community and voluntary organisations
• constituted groups
• companies limited by guarantee
• other eligible not-for-profit organisations with appropriate governance arrangements

Eligibility requirements

Organisations must be able to demonstrate:

• appropriate governance arrangements
• a bank account in the organisation's name
• required safeguarding and equality policies
• public liability insurance
• DBS arrangements where appropriate
• capacity to manage public funds responsibly

Funding cannot be used for:

• retrospective funding of activities that have already taken place
• political activities
• religious activities
• projects already funded through another source
• business or profit-making activity
• activity delivered outside Cambridgeshire

What makes a strong application

The fund aims to support projects that:

• address identified community needs
• strengthen resilience and independence
• help prevent future crises
• support residents experiencing poverty or financial hardship
• contribute to the recommendations of the Cambridgeshire Poverty Strategy Commission
• support Cambridgeshire County Council's vision of a healthier, fairer and more sustainable Cambridgeshire

Applications should clearly demonstrate:

• strategic fit
• evidence of need
• impact and outcomes
• delivery capacity and partnerships
• sustainability and legacy
• risk management
• value for money

How applications will be assessed

• Stage 1: Eligibility check - those which do not meet the eligibility criteria as stated above will not proceed to Stage 2.
• Stage 2: Full assessment - Eligible applications will be scored against the following criteria:

Programme timeline