Image via Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful

Applications now open!

As part of a new Climate Clever Communities project, Live Here Love Here is administering grants to groups that want to adopt an active role in combatting the climate emergency.

The Climate Challenge Fund, which can provide a maximum of £5,000 to each applicant, forms part of the £477,000 that Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful received from the UK Community Replacement Fund to facilitate a greater local response to the threat of runaway climate change.

The overall aim of the project is to (a) educate the wider community about climate change through free Carbon Literacy Programmes training, in order to (b) empower and inspire civic action that can help Northern Ireland tackle the climate emergency.

Am I eligible?

If you can demonstrate how your application meets any of the criteria below, we would love to hear from you.

• Involves and benefits your local community
• Increases your community’s understanding and awareness of climate change, and how everyone can help to make a difference
• Results in a measurable reduction in CO2 emissions
• Includes information about how carbon awareness will continue after the initial project is implemented

A non-exhaustive overview of who can benefit from the Climate Challenge Fund includes voluntary/community groups, NGOs, schools and third-level education organisations, youth groups and sports clubs, tenants and residents associations, religious groups, local councils and businesses.

Applications are particularly welcome from groups who have completed their Carbon Literacy training.

How can I use the money?

The funding is designed to stimulate creative solution to climate action. Although a flexible approach to your application is welcome, some suggested ideas for initiatives include:

• Development of climate action plans
• Coordination of community-based climate conversations/events
• Development of pilot projects to reduce your carbon footprint (including practical environmental initiatives)
• Education/capacity-building initiatives related to climate change
• Research, development and practical demonstration projects
• Scoping studies
• Professional costs for relevant advice/workshops

Project ideas that will be eligible for funding are:

• Investment in resources to enhance a community growing area
• Workshops to share skills, e.g. repairing and upcycling
• Investment in energy-efficient products that can be used by your whole community
• Share schemes, e.g. tools, uniform, sports kit, bicycles
• Setting up a community climate hacks network – small changes you can make to how you act as a citizen and consumer
• An active travel event

Make a difference today

Ready to help the community respond to the climate emergency? You can get started right away.

Applications for the Climate Challenge Fund must be submitted by Friday 08 April, 12pm.

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