National Lottery Community Fund – Climate Action Fund

From the 27th March 2024 groups of community organisations in the UK can apply for grants of up to £3 million to involve more people in climate action.  The funding is being made available through the National Lottery Community Fund – Climate Action Fund.

The funding can be used for projects and action that reach more people by either:

·      linking climate action to the everyday lives and interests of local communities. And inspiring them to take action.

·      influencing communities at a regional or national level. Like linking up groups across locations. Or a campaign that inspires change across one country, or the whole UK.

To be eligible applications need to be submitted by partnerships consisting of a mix of organisations and sectors; and smaller groups working at a local level.

The types of projects eligible for funding could include:

·      Projects that involve people who have not had a say. For example because they are new to climate action. Or because they come from communities that experience poverty, disadvantage and discrimination

·      Projects that introduce a climate perspective to a group who came together around another interest or activity

·      Projects that test the best ways to engage different audiences in climate action

·      Projects that spread an exciting local approach to climate action by sharing it nationally.

The minimum grant is £500,000. It is however expected that most projects will receive funding of between £1 million and £1.5 million over 3 to 5 years. In exceptional circumstance projects can receive up to £3 million, and for up to 7 years. It is anticipated that up to 25 projects will be funded.

Further information can be found on the website.