Charities, community groups and schools across Buckinghamshire can now apply for funding for projects that encourage environmental improvement through the Green Future Bucks initiative.
The initiative is a partnership between Heart of Bucks and Buckinghamshire Council and supports projects that positively impact the environment and public spaces through the Green Community Fund and the Green Schools Fund.
The launch of these funds comes shortly after World Environment Day, which took place on 5th June and called for urgent action to revive our damaged ecosystems. Although the scale of this is enormous and something that needs to be carried out globally, there are many small actions that can also be taken, such as planting trees and cleaning up litter.
Daniel Cope, Ambassador for the Environment at Heart of Bucks said:
“The Green Future Bucks initiative will help to educate and improve the lives of local people and the environment we inhabit. Quite often, we do not recognise the army of volunteers and community groups that keep Buckinghamshire clean, green and rich in biodiversity. Combined with the infinite imagination and intense enthusiasm that children and young people have, the ripple effect of these funds is limitless.”
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for projects through the Green Community Fund, which is aimed at charities, community groups, social enterprises and community interest companies. The Green Schools Fund supports projects that are designed and led by students and awards grants of up to £2,500.
Projects put forward for funding must have a focus on environmental improvement, for instance through increasing biodiversity, reducing energy consumption or enhancing community transport.
Cllr. Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment at Buckinghamshire Council said:
“Buckinghamshire Council is delighted to be able to support the creation of this exciting new environmental fund for the county. As we all know, the time has come to address climate change and to take responsibility for our own actions. Even just a small change to the way we live could have a huge impact in the future. Buckinghamshire Council is committed to protecting the county’s environment and with the Green Future Bucks funds, local schools and community groups can really turn their fantastic ideas into a reality.”
For more information on either of the funds, please click the relevant link below:
