Local community energy enterprise, Gawcott Community Solar CIC, have launched a £9,000 grant fund to support initiatives which benefit local children and young people. Consisting of two sub-funds, grants of up to £1,500 are available and organisations can now apply through Heart of Bucks. The community solar farm, located between Gawcott and Buckingham, is expected to generate a total of £2m in community surplus over the life of the project.
The aim of the first sub-fund, the Bizzy Kids fund, is to benefit children under seven with a particular focus on those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The themes for the fund include encouraging children to eat healthily, creating safe places to play, providing opportunities outside of the National Curriculum and finding alternatives to car-based transport.
The second sub-fund, the Young Energy Champions fund is looking for local, youth-led projects which support young people to develop and implement ideas to reduce carbon emissions in their community.
Grants are available for projects in Gawcott, Buckingham and any parish that falls within 5km of the Gawcott Fields Community Solar farm. Applications must come from organisations which are formally constituted & operating on a not-for-profit basis.
To apply, organisations should submit an expression of interest form as soon as possible the deadline for full applications is 3rd July. There will also be a second round of funding taking place in October.
Gawcott Community Solar is a community interest company which generates income from the sale of solar electricity and expects to generate £2m in surplus income for the community over the next 30 years. This surplus income is dedicated to both this community grant fund and their BEE Warm fuel poverty campaign, which supports households struggling with their energy bills. The community grant fund is administered by the local community foundation Heart of Bucks.
For more information on Gawcott Solar, visit their website www.gawcottsolar.co.uk, or find out about the grant fund by clicking here
