Energy Saving Trust Foundation
Could Energy Saving Trust Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £10,000 – £40,000
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Two-stage application
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Energy Saving Trust Foundation
The Energy Saving Trust Foundation is a registered charity that advances public education on conserving and improving the natural environment, with a focus on climate action and sustainable use of energy and water. It supports youth-led climate initiatives and environmental education programmes, often in partnership with organisations like Airbnb. The Foundation is distinctive for its emphasis on empowering young people to take action on climate and environmental issues, including through a structured curriculum approach. Its charitable objects cover the conservation, protection, and improvement of the physical and natural environment to further climate protection and sustainable resource use.
What Energy Saving Trust Foundation funds
The Foundation funds youth-led climate action, environmental education and conservation, projects addressing the climate emergency, and outdoor environmental education and skills development. It supports project delivery, training, and events. Programmes include a Youth Climate Action Fund (in partnership with Airbnb) and a Sustainable Youth Curriculum Programme with a Northern Ireland focus that delivers the Environment and Sustainability Curriculum developed by Ulster Wildlife. This programme uses a seven-stage framework enabling young people to take action on environmental issues of their choosing. Empowering disadvantaged young people is a stated priority across all funded work.
Who can apply
The Foundation only accepts applications from organisations, including registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, community groups, and companies. Priority is given to projects that empower young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. There is no religious restriction on who can apply. All funded work must align with the Foundation's youth and environmental education focus, and projects should clearly relate to climate action, conservation, or sustainable resource use.
What Energy Saving Trust Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation restricts its funding to youth-led climate action, environmental education, and conservation projects. Programmes that do not focus on young people or environmental education, or that fall outside the stated priorities of addressing the climate emergency and promoting sustainable resource use, are not eligible. This means general community work without an environmental or youth focus, as well as projects unrelated to energy, water, or climate, will not be supported.
How they like to fund
The Foundation funds project delivery, training, events, and outdoor environmental education. It works through partnerships, such as with Airbnb for the Youth Climate Action Fund, and also supports a structured curriculum programme delivered through the Education Authority Youth Service in Northern Ireland. The Foundation welcomes unsolicited applications and does not require match funding. Grants are for specific projects and activities rather than ongoing core costs.
How much does Energy Saving Trust Foundation give?
Energy Saving Trust Foundation runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 19 sourced facts
- Two-stage process
- Two-stage process
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Energy Saving Trust Foundation funds — and what they won't
["deliver the Environment and Sustainability Curriculum developed by Ulster Wildlife for the Education Authority Youth Service","Seven-stage framework enabling young people to take action on environmental issues of their choosing"]
Good to know
How to apply to Energy Saving Trust Foundation
Energy Saving Trust Foundation takes applications via two-stage application.
- Published programme route: two-stage process.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Energy Saving Trust Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Energy Saving Trust Foundation on the charity register
Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as THE ENERGY SAVING TRUST FOUNDATION, charity number 1144106.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Energy Saving Trust Foundation provide?
Energy Saving Trust Foundation runs 2 grant programmes — Youth Climate Action Fund (Partnership with Airbnb): Up to £40,000.
Where does Energy Saving Trust Foundation fund charities?
Energy Saving Trust Foundation funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Energy Saving Trust Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Energy Saving Trust Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
How do I apply for funding from Energy Saving Trust Foundation?
Energy Saving Trust Foundation takes applications via two-stage application. Published programme route: two-stage process.
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Could Energy Saving Trust Foundation be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.