Climate Challenge Fund for community projects

Up to £5,000 in grant funding to groups that want to adopt an active role in combatting the climate emergency

The Climate Challenge Fund from Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, which can provide a maximum of £5,000 to successful projects, has opened to applications.

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

Fund eligibility

You need to demonstrate how your application meets any of the criteria below:

• 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

Organisations which 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.

Project types

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 include:

• investment in resources to enhance a community growing area 
• workshops to share skills, eg repairing and upcycling
• investment in energy-efficient products that can be used by your whole community
• share schemes, eg 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

Find out more about the Climate Challenge Fund and apply now.

Applications close at 12:00 noon on Friday 8 April 2022.

First published 2 March 2022