GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council is offering £50,000 in grant funding to communities to help reduce carbon emissions and the impacts of climate change.

The third round of funding applications launched yesterday (May 6), allowing community groups from across the county to apply for funds for projects that tackle climate change and increase awareness of the subject. Groups do not have to be ‘climate experts’ to apply.

Eligible applicants include community or voluntary groups, registered charities, community interest companies, town and parish councils, sports groups and associations, schools and academies, patient-led support groups, and religious groups, where the application demonstrates that the project will bring wider community benefit, with a non-religious primary purpose.

The council said priority will be given to projects which reach the most people, reduce the most carbon, and provide best value for money.

Colin Chick, Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, said: “I am delighted that this fund will be offering grants to help tackle the climate crisis for the third time.

“This round of funding will mean the council has provided more than £100,000 to community projects to help reduce carbon emissions and to spread messages around climate change.”

The ‘Community Climate Change Fund’ has already given more than £98,000 to a total of 24 projects since January 2024.

Funding has helped make buildings warmer and keep costs down for community spaces.

The first round of funding supported organisations grow enough vegetables for 800 local meals, open discussions with 30 businesses on rail travel, support 15 new volunteers, run eight training sessions for young people, and provide training for parish councillors.

It also helped with the installation of a large in vessel composter, a cycle shelter, ten solar panels, thermal imaging cameras and LED light bulbs.

You can apply via the GCC website.