Aims/priorities: The funding is for formal partnership working across sectors, led by community and voluntary organisations or public sector organisations for projects that reach more people by either:
Linking climate action to the everyday lives and interests of local communities and inspiring them to take action.
Influencing communities at a regional or national level, for example by linking up groups across locations, or a campaign that inspires change across one country, or the whole UK.
Who can apply? Applications will only be accepted from not-for-profit organisations working in a formal partnership.
This includes partnerships that:
- Are based around a local area or region.
- Cover one of the countries that make up the UK.
- Cover the whole UK
- Are based on a shared theme or identity rather than a place.
- Are new or already work together.
To get funding, a partner organisation must be a:
- Constituted voluntary or community organisation.
- Registered charity.
- Charitable incorporated organisation (CIO or SCIO).
- Not-for-profit company limited by guarantee that is a registered charity or has a not-for-profit ‘asset lock’ clause in their articles of association.
- Community Interest Company (CIC).
- School, college, university (as long as their project benefits and involves the wider local communities).
- Statutory body (including local authorities, town, parish or community councils).
- Community benefit society.
- Co-operative society with a not-for-profit ‘asset lock’ clause in their society rules and also be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.
It is not necessary to be a climate or environment-focused organisation to apply. However, at least one partner should have experience of climate or environment work.
Schools must have a project that involves and benefits the community outside of the school, not just teachers, pupils, and parents of pupils.
Grant amount: A total of up to 25 projects is expected to be funded.
The minimum grant is £500,000.
It is expected that most grants will be between £1 million and £1.5 million over three to five years.
Some exceptional projects of up to £3 million, for up to seven years, may be funded.
Application process: NLCF is holding three information sessions:
- Thursday 16 May 2024 (11:00 to 12 noon) (Welsh and English).
- Tuesday 21 May 2024 (14:00 to 15:00)
Advanced registration is required and can be done on the NLCF website.
A session recording will be uploaded to the Climate Action Fund webpage after the sessions.
Full guidance and the online application form can be found on the NLCF website.
It normally takes at least six months from the receipt of the first stage application to receive a decision.
Deadline: Applications will be accepted until at least the end of 2024. NLCF plan to close to applications in early 2025. The final deadline will be announced nearer the time.
Contact information: Email: general.enquiries@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
Website: Climate Action Fund - Our Shared Future | The National Lottery Community Fund