South Lakeland District Council’s (SLDC’s) Climate Change Community Fund has been launched to support the authority’s aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions.

Applications will be considered from charities, community interest companies, parish councils, voluntary groups and other not-for-profit organisations in South Lakeland looking to reduce carbon, enhance biodiversity to support carbon offsetting measures (through, for example, tree planting or peat restoration), address community behaviour change and consumption habits or promote community/ domestic energy efficiency.

The funding must be spent to benefit the local community and the fund will support up to a maximum of 50% of total costs.

Councillor Dyan Jones, SLDC’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Localism, said: “During our recent Climate Conversation events it was clear that there was a desire to do more, to do small, local projects within communities. From this desire, we have created the Climate Change Community Fund. It is an initial fund but it is a beginning. My hope is that this fund will enable successful applicants to work with partners providing other sources of support to enable community action.

“Thinking globally and acting locally is key to everything we want to achieve through our Climate Change Action Plan and I look forward to seeing some excellent projects coming forward supported by this fund with sustainability, biodiversity and the environment at their core.”

There will be a six-week application window. Initially, £20,000 is available. Grants will be for a minimum of £500 and maximum of £5,000.

The fund can support all costs relating to projects or activity, including: core costs, project costs and capital costs.

Visit www.southlakeland.gov.uk/your-environment/climate-change-and-biodiversity/tackling-emissions-in-south-lakeland/

The deadline for applications will be 10am on Monday, 28 September.