Durham Community News

New Project Empowers Rural Communities to Tackle Energy Costs and Climate Change

Rural communities across County Durham and Northumberland are set to benefit from a pioneering new initiative to reduce energy costs and combat climate change. The Climate Action in Rural North East (CAIRN) project launched this month, offers tailored support to help small communities take control of their energy usage and create a greener future. 

The rural charity Community Action Northumberland (CAN), Durham Community Action and their partners came together to create the project recognising rural areas face unique challenges.

Andy Dean from CAN explains:

“Many homes rely on costly heating oil, public transport options are limited, and infrastructure can be outdated. These factors often leave rural households grappling with higher energy costs and fewer support options than their urban counterparts. CAIRN is designed to address these issues by empowering communities to develop practical, long-term energy solutions.” 

The CAIRN project is set to deliver a range of innovative programmes to help rural communities make a meaningful impact: 

• Community Energy Projects: Supporting local groups to establish energy initiatives such as solar panel installations, inspired by the success of Northumberland Community Energy Ltd, which is equipping community buildings across the county with solar panels and batteries.
• Carbon Assessments: Conducting whole-community assessments to pinpoint opportunities for reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency in homes, businesses, and shared spaces.
• Free Energy Advice for Households: Offering 500 households in Northumberland and Durham free, tailored advice on transitioning away from fossil fuels, delivered through expert home visits.
• Training and Skills Development: Providing workshops and resources on energy efficiency, renewable technologies, and retrofitting to equip residents with practical knowledge and tools.
• Engaging Young People: Partnering with schools and youth groups to inspire the next generation to take action against the climate crisis.

Residents and community groups are encouraged to join the project and start making changes that will benefit their local areas and the planet. 

To learn more about how your community in County Durham can participate, please contact Fiona Christian:

• Email: info@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk 
• Phone: 01388 742040
• Website: https://www.durhamcommunityaction.org.uk/cairn

CAIRN is the result of a partnership between Community Action Northumberland (CAN), Durham Community Action (DCA), the Rural Design Centre (RDC), and the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE). The project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, bringing vital resources to support climate action in rural North East communities. 

Paul Cowie from the Rural Design Centre said:
“Rural Communities often lack the capacity to engage fully with the challenges around developing community energy initiatives. CAIRN is a great opportunity to build capacity within rural communities to ensure energy projects are designed and developed by and for rural communities.” 

Kate Burrows, Chief Executive at Durham Community Action said:
“We are delighted to be working closely with our rural partners across the region, building on our strong relationships to support communities across County Durham to take action. As individuals and communities come together to address the issues they face, together we can adopt the solutions we need that contribute to longer term energy security. “

The partnership believes CAIRN can reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions, and build a brighter, more resilient future for rural Northumberland and County Durham .

Photograph: The launch of the CAIRN project at CAN’s AGM. Pictured L-R Andy Curry, CAN, Melanie Thompson-Glen, National Innovation Centre of Rural Enterprise, Lord Curry, President of CAN, Kate Burrows, Durham Community Action, Paul Cowie, Rural Design Centre.