OurCoop shortlisted for two National Sustainability Awards

We're delighted to announce that OurCoop has been shortlisted in two categories at the 2026 National Sustainability Awards for our work with Younity.

Younity has been recognised in both the Partnership of the Year and Major Project of the Year categories, celebrating its role in helping people across the UK generate and benefit from their own renewable energy.

Now in their sixth year, the National Sustainability Awards recognise organisations that are driving innovation and creating measurable environmental impact. The awards celebrate projects and partnerships that are helping build a cleaner, greener future while inspiring others to adopt more sustainable ways of working.

Being shortlisted in two categories is a fantastic recognition of what Younity has achieved since it was established as a joint venture between OurCoop and Octopus Energy. At the heart of Younity is a simple idea: by working together, we can help local groups play a bigger role in the UK's transition to clean energy.

Today, Younity supports almost 300 renewable power purchase agreements with local energy organisations across the UK, helping them generate renewable electricity while providing the confidence and financial certainty they need to invest and grow.

Alongside these agreements, Younity provides practical support through initiatives including the £1.5 million Kickstart Loan, grant funding for local projects and Community Energy Connect - a volunteer platform that matches skilled volunteers with local energy organisations, helping more projects get off the ground.

Younity's recognition in the Major Project of the Year category reflects the scale of its impact. By helping local groups own and generate renewable energy, Younity is not only reducing carbon emissions but also ensuring the benefits of the transition to net zero are shared more widely. Through EnergyCoop's Community Power Tariff - the UK's only energy tariff powered entirely by community-generated electricity - households can directly support the growth of local energy every time they switch.

As a member-owned co-operative, OurCoop believes tackling climate change should go hand in hand with strengthening the places we serve. Younity embodies that approach, bringing together partners, local groups and co-operative values to create a fairer, more sustainable energy future.

We'll find out whether Younity has won when the National Sustainability Awards take place later this year. Whatever the outcome, being shortlisted in two categories is a fantastic achievement and recognition of the positive impact the partnership is making across the UK.