Friends of the Earth Birmingham: Breathing new, energy‑efficient life into a much‑loved community hub

For more than 50 years, Friends of the Earth (FOE) Birmingham has done things its own way. Set up in 1973 as a community benefit society, the group chose independence and democracy at the outset.   

“At the time, the people involved felt the democracy of that structure was important to them because of the social enterprise work we do alongside our campaigning,” said Chief Executive Karen Leach. 

Independence still defines the organisation today. While affiliated to Friends of the Earth nationally, the Birmingham group governs itself and has its own building, known as The Warehouse – a little green community in a big city.  

The Warehouse raises funds for FOE Birmingham through room hire and long-term tenants – from a café and bike shop to grassroots organisations working on social justice and climate action.  

For a group on a mission to create a healthier world, energy efficiency measures are a no brainer. So over the years, The Warehouse has undergone improvements whenever possible, starting with insulation in the 1980s and continuing in small steps over decades.  

A major refurbishment in 2016‑17 improved accessibility and created new meeting rooms, funded by a substantial community share offer. Then the pandemic hit. “Everything slowed down,” Karen recalled.   

As the organisation recovered, long‑planned roof repairs finally became possible, opening the door to solar panels – and energy assessments helped clarify next steps. When Energy Efficiency Sharematch funding through the Community Shares Booster Fund became available, it was a turning point. “We went ‘ah ha’,” said Karen. “It helped us prioritise and do it much faster.”

They launched a share offer in April 2025, aiming to raise £46,660, with one‑third matched investment from the fund. Members invested anything from £1 to £10,000, all with one vote – and the offer exceeded its target, raising more than £48,000.  

“It made a huge difference,” said Karen. “Without the Energy Efficiency Sharematch funding, the payback period would have been really long. With it, we could say to investors: this is a solid business model.”

The funding supported wall insulation, sash window renovation and draught‑proofing, solar panels and batteries – and changes to the heating system to prepare for a future heat pump. Not everything is finished yet, but some impacts were felt straight away.   

“The first thing you notice is the sound,” said Karen. “One tenant couldn’t work because of the noise when scaffolding was going up, but once the window was done they couldn’t hear anything at all.” 

The share offer also brought new energy into the organisation. Around 50 new members joined, all now voting members. “People who were friends of the building before are now properly part of it,” Karen said.  

The project raised the group’s profile locally too, who bow have plans to share what learning about insulation and heating. “We want to pass on what we’ve learned and allay some of the scare stories,” she added.  

For Friends of the Earth Birmingham, Energy Efficiency Sharematch wasn’t just about reducing bills. It strengthened community ownership, accelerated climate action and reinforced a model they’ve believed in since the 1970s: “Democratic, practical and rooted in the place we’re part of.” 

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