Our Community Climate Grant fund has been given a £15,000 boost by South Lakeland District Council.
The fund, also backed by the National Lottery, is aimed at helping local community groups fight climate change. SLDC’s contribution will fund carbon reducing projects led by voluntary sector groups in the South Lakeland area.
Open to not-for-profit groups within Cumbria, the grants range from £200 to £10,000, for projects and events that raise awareness of the urgent need to stop climate change and to reduce carbon emissions from energy use, land use, waste and transport.
Helen Attewell, Coordinator of the Cumbria Sustainability Network, said: “Groups based in South Lakes which are aiming to cut carbon and do their bit for the environment have already benefited from £22,485 from the Community Climate Grants scheme. We are delighted to have an additional £15,000 from the District Council to put towards this important work to bring communities together and build a greener future. I’m looking forward to more proposals coming forward and am always happy to offer my support to help get things off the ground.”
The £15,000 grant from SLDC was one of the final awards from SLDC’s Locally Important Projects (LIPs) scheme, which used New Homes Bonus funds to address the needs of local communities and distributed £1.2 million to 118 projects since 2013.
Councillor Dyan Jones, portfolio holder for climate action and biodiversity, said: “I am delighted that South Lakeland District Council has been able to pledge support for carbon reducing projects led by voluntary sector groups in the South Lakeland area through CAfS’ Community Climate Grants Fund.
“Collaboration and partnership underpins so many things already accomplished and in progress as we meet the challenges of climate change. So it is fitting that one of the final grants from our LIPs fund goes to a partner we have developed a close and effective relationship with, which will in turn support many projects in local communities.”
Most grants will be awarded in small amounts, with straightforward application process that’s been designed with community groups in mind. Funding of £750 can be available within a matter of days for projects that meet the eligibility criteria, with medium grants of up to £2,000 being assessed and awarded within a month. Organisations that are looking to raise larger amounts are encouraged to get in touch with the Community Climate Grants team to talk about their projects.
The grants are part of an ambitious Cumbria wide programme being driven by the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership of over 80 organisations which aims to make Cumbria carbon neutral by 2037.
CAfS is running the grant scheme in partnership with the Cumbria Sustainability Network of more than a dozen community groups from across the county that are working to tackle climate change. For full details, see https://cafs.org.uk/climate-grants/