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Younity and OurCo-op shortlisted for Partnership of the Year at the National Sustainability Awards
A couple of weeks ago, we donned our glad rags and headed to London for the National Sustainability Awards, joining our parent company, OurCo-op, to celebrate being shortlisted together for Partnership of the Year.
About the project
Held at the London Marriott Hotel, the sixth annual awards brought together organisations working to make a more sustainable future a reality. It was an evening filled with inspiring stories, plenty of celebrations and, of course, a glass or two of prosecco!
This wasn't our first time at the awards. Ewan and Connie previously attended when Younity was shortlisted in a sector support category, recognising the work we do to help community energy groups overcome the challenges of developing and operating renewable energy projects. Although we didn't take home the prize that time, it was great to return with a joint entry that celebrated the impact of our partnership with OurCo-op.
Celebrating our partnership and the community energy sector
Our Partnership of the Year entry focused on how we're helping put community-owned renewable energy at the heart of the UK's transition to cleaner power.
Since 2019, Younity has supported grassroots renewable energy projects by providing fair Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), helping community energy groups access routes to market and build financially viable projects.
As we've grown, our role has expanded beyond supporting generators to market their electricity. We've developed products and services designed specifically for the needs of the community energy sector, like our Kickstart Loan, which helps projects overcome financial barriers, and Community Energy Connect, our free platform connecting volunteers with community energy organisations.
Our partnership with OurCo-op has been an important part of that journey. The application highlighted what can be achieved when organisations bring together shared values, market expertise and a clear commitment to making a difference.
With its long-standing co-operative purpose, strong community roots and commitment to sustainability, OurCo-op shares our belief that essential services should work for people and communities. It's a purpose we're proud to share as part of our partnership.
Celebrating success across the partnership
Although we didn't come away with the Partnership of the Year award this time, being shortlisted was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work we've achieved together and the wider community energy sector we're proud to support.
There was also another reason to celebrate. OurCo-op took home the award for Major Project of the Year, having been shortlisted in that category too. Younity even featured briefly in the successful entry, making the win extra special for us!
The biggest congratulations go to the OurCo-op team and their wider sustainability colleagues for their fantastic work and well-deserved recognition.
Looking ahead
We'll keep building on our partnership with OurCo-op and developing people-centred products and services that help remove barriers for community energy projects.
We're proud of how far we've come since 2019, and there's plenty more to do to help community energy grow across the UK.
Who knows? Maybe third time will be the charm at the National Sustainability Awards. Until then, we'll keep doing what we do best: helping community energy make a bigger impact.
