Programme Energy Audit

A Programme Energy Audit is a qualitative framework used by community professionals to assess the vitality and health of community initiatives. It moves beyond simple quantitative metrics like attendance or registration numbers to evaluate the underlying energy that sustains a programme. The audit organises this assessment around three core pillars: the enthusiasm and commitment of its volunteers, the diversity and engagement of its participants, and its alignment with the community's overarching strategic goals.

Why it matters — Programme Energy Audit

In any established community, programmes can accumulate over time. Some are born from a specific need, while others are inherited. Without a regular assessment, it is easy for a community's portfolio of programmes to become bloated, with some initiatives continuing to run on inertia long after their original purpose has faded. These 'zombie' programmes can consume a disproportionate amount of limited resources: staff time, budget, and, most critically, the goodwill and energy of volunteers.