Prepare

There are five steps involved in preparing for Community-Led Energy Planning; getting started, funding and resource, creating a neighbourhood profile, preparing the data and recruiting the group.

If this is their first time using this approach, delivery teams should, where possible, work with an area which: 

• has a lot to gain in terms of voice, skills and community-ownership; and,
• has active community-run spaces, high levels of volunteering or evidence of political engagement.

For subsequent uses, reflect on the previous work before delivering the approach in a community which may be perceived as more challenging to engage. Delivery teams may want to bring people who participated in previous programmes to help deliver this in a new area. Participants who have already experienced Community-led Energy Planning (CLEP)  may lend credibility and can help to improve the approach.