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Giovanna’s reflections on becoming 2025 community energy champion

25 November 2025

Giovanna wrote the following piece after being named Community Energy England’s Community Energy Champion – a recognition that left her delighted, a bit stunned, and deeply reflective about the collective nature of community energy.

I’m absolutely chuffed to have been awarded Community Energy England’s Community Energy Champion award. It still feels slightly surreal. I’ve never thought of myself as “award-winning” material – surely these things don’t usually go to people who once glued themselves naked to a government department wearing nothing but a modesty placard. And yet, here we are. And yes, I’m delighted. It’s genuinely lovely to have years of hard work and sheer bloody-minded determination recognised by my community-energy peers and chums.

I’ll admit: I’ve always been a bit sceptical about awards. The social scientist in me knows that no judging panel can truly understand what goes into this work – the long nights, the frustrations, the policy U-turns, the unexpected blockages, the “are we really doing this?” moments. And, if I’m honest, part of my scepticism comes from knowing what it feels like not to win, especially when the work matters so deeply.

Community energy only works because hundreds of people across the country give their time, insight and energy for free. They stay resilient in the face of indifference, innovate despite a volatile policy landscape, and keep going even when giving up might feel easier.

But there’s another reason this award feels strange to accept: Selce is proudly a cooperative. Nothing we achieve is the result of one person. I’m just one of a team that consistently punches far above its weight. I’m endlessly grateful to our staff, who go above and beyond; our Directors, who take on the tough decisions; our members and volunteers; and the community groups and local authorities who collaborate with us so generously.

I’m also thinking of the quiet heroes – like the volunteer who has given us three days a week of bookkeeping since 2015 and would absolutely prefer to stay anonymous. Without people like him, Selce simply wouldn’t exist. Accepting an individual award feels odd when I know how many shoulders I’m standing on.

Community energy only works because hundreds of people across the country give their time, insight and energy for free. They stay resilient in the face of indifference, innovate despite a volatile policy landscape, and keep going even when giving up might feel easier. One award can’t capture all of that – so I am dedicating this one to every community-energy striver, grafter and pioneer out there.

If this recognition means anything, I hope it’s fuel for the next chapter of our community-energy revolution.

Right then. Award accepted. Now – back to the spreadsheets.

You can read Giovanna’s story here.