The first round of applications for grants up to £10,000 are now open for Cumbrian community groups. Environmental charity Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) recently launched a National Lottery-supported grant funding stream to enable grassroots community groups to take action to tackle climate change.
Potential applicants can apply for project funding from the Community Climate Grant scheme of any amount over £200. Applications for amounts of up to £2,000 can be considered at any time, but those groups seeking larger amounts of up to £10,000, in the first round, must apply by Monday 28th February.
The Community Climate Grants are supported by the Cumbria Sustainability Network, which represents groups from across the county that are already working to raise awareness of the need to reduce carbon emissions from all aspects of our lives. The Network are keen to support other groups to take action on the climate crisis, and in particular, to share their experience with new groups that are setting up.
Said Cumbria Sustainability Network Coordinator, Helen Attewell, ‘New year resolutions focus the mind and can provide direction, we all need to do our bit to tackle the climate crisis, and the Community Climate Grants are designed to support local groups to be effective in cutting carbon and building awareness of the steps we can take to help the planet.
‘Members of the Sustainability Network would like to reach out and offer their experience to people hoping to set up a group in their local area. One way they can do this is by being part of the decision-making on who receives the grant funds.
A special meeting of the Cumbria Sustainability Network will be held at the end of March to decide on which proposals should gain support from the Community Climate Grants, and the wider community are invited to take part in choosing the successful projects.
How to Apply
You can read more about the grants on the CAfS website at Zero Carbon Cumbria - Community Climate Grants - CAfS. Potential applicants are encouraged to get in touch to benefit for direct support and help.
Email [email protected] to find out more about the Cumbria Sustainability Network and the large grant application process.