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£100,000 available for climate and nature recovery projects

There is some great news for local community groups looking to tackle climate change and help nature recovery as the Vale of White Horse District Council’s Climate Action Fund opens for applications today (Tuesday 6 May).

Previously the Climate Action Fund has provided money towards a huge range of climate and biodiversity-related community schemes, including helping set up a repair café at Appleton, community allotments in East Hendred and helping to establish a sustainable community hub in Shrivenham.

Solar panels on pre-school roof

In 2023, the council awarded a grant to Little Pippins Pre-School in Harwell (pictured above) which part-funded their plans to install renewable energy. They said: “We installed 20 solar panels into the roof of the pre-school. Staff involved the children in the plans and educated them about solar energy. Within days of installation, we were fully connected and able to sell any excess energy back to the national grid. It will save the pre-school around £1,400 a year in energy bills and around 3,000kg in carbon emissions.”

The Climate Action Fund is now open for applications from town and parish councils and local community groups who have climate and biodiversity project proposals. There is a total of £100,000 available, with a minimum grant of £250 and a maximum of £10,000 per project. Applicants have until 30 June to apply.

Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader and Cabinet member for Climate Action and the Environment, for Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “The Fund has been available since 2022, and since then we have awarded more than £290,000 – it is incredibly popular. Last year we had a record number of applications which is fantastic as it shows so many people are looking at different ways to make the changes we need for the climate and nature. I am proud that the council has been able to help get all those projects off the ground.”

Full details of the Climate Action Fund and how to apply are available on the Climate Action Fund page on the council’s website.