Grants of up to £50,000 are available to local groups to fund projects which support climate action in the Park and Warley wards of Calderdale.
Calderdale is benefitting from £140,000 from the Community Grants for Climate Action Fund – an initiative from Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, co-ordinated by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The fund is managed locally by Calderdale Council, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Calderdale. Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 are available to deliver projects that help the Park and Warley areas of the borough to become greener and more resilient to climate change.
Applications are open to community and voluntary groups as well as social enterprises, for projects which can be delivered by December 2024.
Projects that could benefit from funding include those that help to increase knowledge of climate change and its local impacts, as well as putting advice and support in place to help more residents take climate action.
The funding is focused in the Park and Warley wards and follows the successful Inclusive Economy pilot programme in this area, which included strong representation and delivery from local community organisations.
These climate action community grants aim to build on this work, bringing people, investment and funding together for the greatest impact. The funding will support community proposals for greener, cleaner and climate-ready neighbourhoods, supporting new initiatives and building on the work of groups and projects already engaging the local community on environmental issues and boosting skills.
The grants also support the borough’s draft Climate Action Plan, with community action one of the plan’s key themes. The plan identifies the importance of working with new and existing community groups to develop climate solutions and support each other to help ideas to grow.
For more information, or for details of the application process, visit Calderdale Community grants for climate projects – Community Foundation For Calderdale (cffc.co.uk)(external link) . The deadline for applications is Monday 11 December 2023.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Active Travel and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said:
“Climate change is something which affects us all, and we can all take action to mitigate the impacts. We want to engage with communities across Calderdale to reinforce the message that we all have a role to play, and only by working together can we achieve our ambitious net zero targets.
“This funding will benefit groups in the Park and Warley areas to support climate initiatives in this part of the borough. We know that people in Calderdale are passionate about protecting our distinctive environment and many community groups in Calderdale are already leading the way on climate action. We want to support local groups to develop schemes which will make a real difference in their community.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said:
“As we work to deliver our mission of a net zero West Yorkshire by 2038, we need to make sure that no community is left behind.
“That’s why we’re stepping in to help communities transition to net zero and become more resilient to climate change.
“We’re working with our partners and local people across the region to make positive, greener changes that will benefit all.”
Steve Duncan, CEO at Community Foundation for Calderdale, said:
“We are delighted to be working with Calderdale Council to support community climate action in Park and Warley. Local people are best placed to understand the challenges they need to overcome and the solutions that will work for them. This fund provides an opportunity to build on the excellent work already taking place in the area; to strengthen that work and help communities become more resilient in the face of climate change.”
To find out more about the Calderdale Climate Action Plan, visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/environment/sustainability/climate-action-plan. For regular climate action updates, sign up for the Zero Carbon Calderdale e-newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/calderdale/zerocarbon(external link)
Working with local communities and regional partners to take climate action and protect our distinctive environment is a priority for the Council and is a key part of the Council’s Vision2024 for Calderdale. The year 2024 marks Calderdale’s 50th birthday. Where do we want to be by 2024? Get involved on Twitter with #VisionCdale2024 and find out more at www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision