Community groups and organisations encouraged to apply for Climate Action Challenge Fund.

Applications are open for funding of up to £20,000 to help support voluntary and community organisations in tackling climate change in Essex.

Essex County Council (ECC) has made the £500,000 Climate Action Challenge Fund available as part of the authority’s £200 million Essex Climate Action Plan.

Speaking of the fund, Cllr Peter Schwier, ECC's Climate Czar, said: "The Climate Action Challenge Fund was established by Essex County Council to inspire voluntary and community groups to develop projects which combat climate change.

“The fund is open until March 2023, and we would strongly encourage community groups and schools to apply for the funding."

Several groups and organisations have already benefitted from funding. For example, last week marked the official launch of the Gaia at Chelmsford Cathedral, which was made possible by £20,000 from the Climate Action Challenge Fund.

Gaia is a spectacular touring artwork by Luke Jerram, created from detailed NASA imagery of the Earth's surface. It measures six meters in diameter and is at Chelmsford Cathedral until 30 October.

Another recent Climate Challenge Action Fund recipient is the community and environmental charity Groundwork East. £19,506 was awarded to Groundwork to develop and run after-school Climate Crew Clubs with nine primary schools in Essex. The grant will help support the development of the club content and fund a pilot programme throughout 2022 for up to 200 children.

You can find more information about the fund and application guidance at: https://www.essex.gov.uk/leisure-culture-local-heritage/culture-and-communities. 

More information about the successful recipients of the fund is available at: https://www.essexclimate.org.uk/climate-action-challenge-fund-recipients.