Project application forms and evaluation criteria are available now online at www.sthelens.gov.uk/climatechange.
This grant funding opportunity will support bids up to a maximum of £10,000 and is open to enterprises with less than 250 employees, and who are locally based.
Community organisations such as charities, voluntary and faith groups, Friends of’ groups and residents’ associations are able to bid up to £5,000.
Bids should aim specifically to reduce carbon emissions or to increase an organisation’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Renewable energy projects
- Energy efficiency projects
- Zero or low carbon transport
- Waste reduction
- Empower local community to promote a culture of sustainable living
- Support biodiversity and ecological change
- Increase community composting
Bids must be prepared and submitted by Sunday 25 July. Successful applications will be notified by Friday 13 August.
Funded projects must start by 1 October 2021 and completed by the end of March 2022, when the Climate Change Commission will review the success of the projects.
The funding opportunity follows the establishment of a multi-agency Climate Change Commission, set up in response to the council’s declaration of a climate emergency and a commitment to achieving zero-carbon status by 2040.
The commission is an independent and strategic forum between local organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors which will provide expert advice on key steps towards a low carbon, climate resilient future for the borough.
Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said:
“Climate change is a crisis faced by all of us and we all have a role to play in addressing it. Every person, every business, community group and organisation can help to limit global warming and take care of our planet.
“We know there are such businesses and groups out there in our communities trying to make a difference, but often without the support they need to act, particularly after such a difficult year. We hope this funding pot will demonstrate our backing of local green initiatives and provide an incentive to make a difference.
“Working together we can tackle the climate emergency in St Helens and build a more sustainable borough.”
Stephen Sykes, independent Chair of St Helens Borough’s Climate Change Commission, said:
“Taking action on climate change whether it is to reduce carbon impact or adapt to a changing climate is everybody’s responsibility, even though individual actions may be small, taken together they add up to make a difference.
“To facilitate and encourage this by putting up an initial modest fund to enable the community and businesses of the Borough to take bigger and bolder actions is excellent news. I am hoping that once people see the projects happening it will encourage and inspire others to play their part too.
“I and the rest of the Climate Change Commission look forward to seeing the ingenuity, innovation and impacts of these projects and the ideas that the people of the Borough of St Helens have to take us towards a zero carbon future.”