Small communities have potential

Significant, untapped potential exists for the generation of renewable energy in small communities. Developing renewable energy solutions helps to enhance social, economic and environmental sustainability by diversifying small communities resources. Renewable energy solutions can help isolated regions to become more self-sufficient, increasing their competitiveness and reducing vulnerability to external market influence.

A lack of knowledge and experience of renewable energy solutions is preventing small communities from reaching their potential in renewable energy generation. The SMALLEST service aims to better enable rural communities throughout the Northern Periphery Programme (NPP) region to access renewable energy solutions.

What can SMALLEST do?

Smallest can offer a tailored hand-holding service for community organisations interested in undertaking a renewable energy project.  For latest news on SMALLEST click here.

Smallest aims to:

• Increase awareness of the potential benefits of renewable energy generation.
• Assist with the planning involved in converting to renewable energy solutions and help to investigate the commercial feasibility of renewable energy generation in your community.
• Provide an innovative training and mentoring service concerning the renewable energy generation.
• Integrate with the existing provision of advisory services in each region, regarding community renewable energy and extend their range, working in close cooperation with them.
• Bring pooled skills and shared knowledge from across the region and the wider EU region.

Northern Periphery Programme 2007-2013

The Northern Periphery Programme 2007-2013 helps to build joint projects creating innovative products and services for the benefit of the programme partner countries and Europe as a whole. The programme was set up to help peripheral and remote communities on the northern margins of Europe to develop their economic, social and environmental potential. SMALLEST is part-funded by the Northern Periphery Programme, which is itself part of the EU Interreg IVB.

Further Information

For further information on Smallest please visit www.smallestnpp.eu

If you are a community organisation based in Northern Ireland and wish to avail of the Smallest service please contact Terry Waugh, Action Renewables on 02890 727763 or email terry.waugh@actionrenewables.co.uk