A new scheme has been launched to support community renewable energy projects in Northern Ireland. Action Renewables, working with The National Lottery, has launched the Energy Learning Network. The aim is clear: bring people together, share knowledge, and provide the practical support needed to get projects off the ground.

The launch comes at a time when local communities are searching for ways to build resilience and identity in shared projects. That same sense of collective effort often finds a voice in other arenas, where tradition and competition meet. It can be seen in village festivals that draw neighbours together. It is present in sporting clubs that carry local colours onto the pitch.

And it appears in the betting slips that follow the weekend’s action, from simple wagers to horse racing trebles. Combining three selections into a single multiple multiplies the odds, so potential returns can be higher than backing singles, though all three must win. The format is straightforward and easier to track than larger accumulators, with a clear stake-to-return path. Well-sourced treble tips typically weigh recent form, going, draw, trainer and jockey records, and market moves to narrow the field. When available from licensed bookmakers, standard offers such as price boosts or stated bonuses can improve the final return on a successful treble without changing the stake.

Such examples of shared focus highlight how collective choices, whether on the track or in the community, can bring people together around common goals. They show that structured guidance and clear rules make it easier to participate and build confidence in the outcome. The same principle underpins national programmes, where funding and local delivery partners ensure support is shaped to the needs of each community. The initiative is part of a wider UK effort and is backed by funding from The National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund. Ashden Climate Solutions is leading the network at national level, while partners in each region will deliver it locally. In Northern Ireland, that role falls to Action Renewables. Their role is to adapt the training and support to local needs.

The organisers say the network is open to both established groups and those only beginning to consider community energy. Support will range from technical guidance to mentoring sessions and events where people can learn from each other’s experience. For many groups, the main benefit will be making connections. Community groups here have often worked alone, with little opportunity to share lessons or build on what others have done.

For years, Northern Ireland has lacked the same level of coordinated support found elsewhere in the UK. There has been no central system, no single place to turn for advice. As a result, groups have often relied on goodwill and determination, but many projects have struggled to move beyond the early stages. The Energy Learning Network aims to change this. By linking local communities to examples already proven in Scotland, England and Wales, it aims to cut through some of the barriers that have held back progress.

The network will also feed information from Northern Ireland into wider UK research. Its “State of the Sector” report will now include findings drawn from local groups, giving them a stronger presence in the national picture. This is expected to highlight both successes and the gaps that still need to be filled.

For many involved in community energy, the launch feels overdue. But it is also seen as a chance to turn enthusiasm into lasting results. With training, mentoring and shared knowledge in place, community groups in Northern Ireland are expected to press ahead.