Many organisations want to cut carbon and reduce energy costs, but smaller businesses and community groups often lack the time, confidence and data to decide what to do first, or to build a strong case for investment. Without a credible plan, it can be harder to secure grant funding or meet public-sector procurement requirements.

To accelerate local decarbonisation and support its ambition to reach net zero by 2050 or sooner, North Northamptonshire Council launched Powering Change, a support programme funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Urban Foresight was appointed to design and deliver the programme, providing practical, tailored support to help organisations move from intention to action.

Our approach

In designing the programme, we focused on four barriers that we know consistently prevent small organisations realising the economic and environmental benefits of decarbonising their operations:

• Knowledge gaps: limited understanding of how to measure emissions and choose actions
• Financial constraints: challenges in finding and applying for funding
• Capacity limitations: stretched resources in small businesses and voluntary sector organisations
• Technical challenges: difficulty accessing appropriate carbon assessment tools and trusted guidance

Powering Change was delivered through three interconnected workstreams designed to build momentum and deepen engagement:

1. Awareness and engagement: a multi-channel campaign to recruit organisations, build awareness of the offer and encourage action.
2. Workshops and tailored support pathways: a structured webinar series to build capability, share practical steps and signpost relevant resources, including funding opportunities.
3. Carbon footprinting and Carbon Reduction Plans: access to a simple digital platform, supported by open webinars and one-to-one guidance to measure emissions and develop credible plans.

Outcomes

Over 100 organisations from across the Council region registered for support during the project period. Several developed Carbon Reduction Plans aligned with public sector procurement requirements, and 36 organisations received support with grant applications to secure funding for decarbonisation projects.

By combining carbon measurement, planning support, and grant-focussed guidance, Powering Change helped organisations strengthen their readiness to invest, access funding, and demonstrate credible progress towards net zero.