What is the Lancashire Locals Climate Change Fund?

The Lancashire Locals Climate Change Fund is a new fund to support community projects on climate change. These projects can either be aimed at ‘reducing greenhouse gas emissions’, or helping communities to ‘cope with the impacts of climate change’. Grants will normally be in the range of £500 - £15,000. The fund is shared across all 12 Lancashire Locals.

Who can apply?

The fund is open to voluntary organisations, community groups and parish/town councils. The fund is not open to public sector organisations or schools.

What projects are eligible for funding?

To be considered, the project must demonstrate that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions or helps communities to cope with the impacts of climate change.

For example, projects might include:

• Community micro-renewable energy schemes,
• Energy efficiency measures,
• Carbon capture through tree planting or peat bog restoration.
• Awareness raising and communications work,

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Are innovative or demonstrate best practice, capable of replication elsewhere in Lancashire.
• Involve young people and or local community groups.

Please see guidance notes (word document 49kb) for full eligibility criteria.

How can you apply and how we assess your application?

1. Interested groups can download the guidance notes and application form.
2. Applications will be received in 3 rounds each year. The deadlines for each round is :
   • 31st January 2008
   • 30th May 2008
   • 31st October 2008
3. The application forms will be considered by an officer working at the County Council, who have the necessary expertise to assess the suitability of the application.
4. A report with a recommendation will be sent to the relevant Lancashire Local and the Lancashire Local will make the decision on which projects get the funding.

How can we help?

If you would like more information please contact the fund’s administration support officer in the first instance, either by email at:

• climatechangefund@lancashire.gov.uk
• or telephone 01772 531257

You will then be put in contact with an officer who will:

• Act as a point of contact for general enquiries. This might include answering eligibility queries, signposting to other sources of funding and signposting to others for technical advice
• Appraise your application

Regrettably we may only be able to offer very limited technical advice on renewable technologies. We have sign posted other sources of support under ‘Help and Advice’.