Applications for the next round of grant funding to support community-based projects aimed at tackling the climate and nature emergency will open in April.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s Community Climate Change Fund was established in 2021 and has already provided grants to around 42 groups including Dane Valley Climate Action Group for tree planting, Moorlands Climate Action for the HuG Green Arts Festival, Longnor Action Group for a weed pull and litter pick, and Waterhouses Allotment Association for their water harvesting project.
Councillor Nigel Yates, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “We at the Council have declared a climate and nature emergency and we want to work with organisations, groups and individuals on ways of managing the impact of climate change and providing environments in which nature can flourish.
“By providing community-led schemes with these grants we’re making sure people can take action at a very local level. It’s enabling communities across the Moorlands to bring their projects and innovative ideas to life – and they are making a real difference.
“We’ve seen the fantastic work that those people who have already received grants are doing, and we’re opening the next round of funding soon so that these benefits can be extended to even more areas of the District.
Grants of between £400 and £5000 are available to support practical measures such as tree planting and habitat improvement, green travel and transport schemes, energy saving in community buildings, local food projects, recycling and reuse projects, and to help develop the skills needed to change and adapt lifestyles.
Grant-recipient Creative Cheadle Staffs received £1,000 for their Warmer Winter Workshops project. The funding was used to purchase and fit curtain tracks and heavy duty lined curtains throughout their historic Tudor building at the heart of the town.
Dee Beardmore, community group Chair, said: “We would like to thank the Council for this support through the fund. The newly installed curtains are both aesthetically appropriate to our historic Tudor building and functionally effective. They are helping to retain heat in the workshop area and create a more comfortable classroom environment for participants.
“Overall, the funded measures have contributed to improved energy efficiency and a more pleasant learning space.”
The next round of funding will be available from 1 April to 31 May. Another round will open in the autumn.
The fund is administered for the Council by Support Staffordshire. Chief Executive Garry Jones said: “Support Staffordshire is passionate about climate action, work for nature, and sustainability. Being able to support and motivate voluntary groups and charities across the Staffordshire Moorlands by administering the Council’s fund enables us all to help drive and deliver inspirational projects in support of shared goals.”
