How-to Guide
Business, governance and financial management
A community energy organisation is both a company and a business, which brings both obligations and opportunities. Thankfully there are some great resources out there to help you navigate the world of governance and business management. We have compiled a selection of our most useful guides and tools to help you manage your organisation effectively, from understanding legal requirements to implementing best practices.
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Community energy governance guide
The Greater South East Net Zero Hub commissioned the Centre for Sustainable Energy to create a Community Energy Guidance, bringing together a wealth of lived experience and expertise, aiming to equip community energy organisations with the knowledge, tools and resources to implement good governance practices.
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New to community energy governance?
The Energy Learning Network hosted an introduction to community energy governance in June 2025 which will be useful to new and emerging community organisations, looking at governance for the first time or developing governance for their organisation. The webinar looked at how to create governance models that align with your day to day approach, and strike the balance of maintaining your grassroots voice, while putting you in a position to attract funding and deliver projects.
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Governance and finance resources
- Co-operatives UK offers a resource bank on governance and finance resources for co-ops, including an HR video.
- Cooperative Assistance Network offers a wide range of template policies you can use for your own organisations.
- Information Commissioners Office (ICO) – guidance and template to create a privacy notice for your organisation.
- NCVO -supplies guidance on financial management (all organisations) and governance (charity specific).
- Power to Change has a range of community business resources, including practical guides for energy projects.
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HR and employment law
- Wrigleys Solicitors host regular webinars on various aspects of employment law and offer employment law services.
- Wrigleys Solicitors host regular webinars on various aspects of employment law and offer employment law services.
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Governance platforms
Air Register is an airtable app which will help you manage your society’s community shares register. Designed by leading community shares practitioners with support from Co-operatives UK, Air Register will help societies meet best practice around their ongoing administration and management of their share register.