Community Powerdown Network
Community Powerdown brings together Climate Challenge Funded communities in a Membership Network. The Network provides a forum for shared learning, support and encouragement, with access to help from expert organisations, including Community Energy Scotland, which facilitates Powerdown.
Community Powerdown began in late 2008, through a collaboration of Community Energy Scotland and the Development Trusts Association Scotland. Community Powerdown II launched in April 2011 when the Climate Challenge Fund was extended for another year.
The network includes a wealth of projects to reduce carbon emissions and leave a long lasting beneficial legacy for the communities. There are a multitude of themes for these projects, including:
- Awareness Raising
- Community Consultation
- Local Food Production
- Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Energy Efficiency
- Carbon Counting
- Renewable Energy
- Schools and Education
- Sustainable Transport
The success of Powerdown stems from its member communities working together, sharing ideas and resources and pulling in expertise to increase capacity and confidence.
Community Energy Scotland facilitates the network and assists through, for example:
- Providing all the services associated with the elevated package of the Knowledge Exchange Programme membership
- Organising training and workshop sessions to meet identified needs of the network members
- Hosting informal sessions to share ideas and resolve queries
- Circulating information relevant to members
- Providing links with communities who have successfully completed carbon reduction projects
- Enabling problem solving through advice from experienced practitioners.
- Renewable energy and energy efficiency project advice from experienced Community Energy Scotland staff
- A dedicated Community Powerdown coordinator
- One to one support from local Community Energy Scotland Development Officers
- Access to a wealth of resources now hosted in our Knowledge Exchange Members' area
For more information please contact Melanie MacRae, Community Powerdown Network Coordinator
