Climate change funding for community groups in Northumberland

Council funding is now available to help community groups take action on climate change.

Northumberland County Council is offering financial support to organisations including voluntary and community groups, registered charities, constituted groups or clubs, community interest companies (CIC), social enterprises and parish councils so that they can make changes to become more sustainable.

Two funding opportunities are available through the Northumberland Climate Change Fund. The first is a small bid of up to £1,000 which could help groups with event equipment, hire costs, energy audits and the planting of community orchards and other greenery. The second is a larger bid of up to £5,000 which could go towards renewable energy and retrofitting.

Bids are being welcomed from Wednesday 4 May for six weeks until Wednesday 15 June, which is the deadline for the first round of applications.

To apply, projects must support the Council's Climate Change Action Plan, be a new initiative, demonstrate longevity and show a commitment to engaging with the wider community to encourage action on climate change. 

Council Leader, Glen Sanderson is encouraging groups to come forward and bid for the funding. Glen said: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face today. In Northumberland, we are committed to protecting our beautiful and natural landscape as much as possible but we all need to work together to do this.

“We know that many groups need financial help to fully realise their potential to become more eco-friendly and we want to help them as much as possible. 

“This is new money which is being made available and we sincerely hope groups across the County will take full advantage of this and join us in our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.”

The funding can be used to match funding to support larger projects, but cannot be used to match funding for other Northumberland County Council funded projects.

Exclusions apply. For more information and to apply, please go to www.northumberland.gov.uk/grants#northumberlandclimatechangefund.

From left to right, Nick Johnson, Climate Change Project Manager, Matthew Baker, Director for Improvement and Innovation, Council Leader, Glen Sanderson and Hazel Scurr, Climate Change Assistant Project Manager.