Hart District Council has launched two grant schemes totalling £50,000 to help voluntary and community groups in the district improve their green spaces and mitigate their impact on climate change.
The Countryside grant scheme can provide financial support to those looking to run and develop countryside projects that boost biodiversity, health and wellbeing, educational opportunities and sustainability. There is £30,000 available through eight grants ranging from £1,000 to £10,000.
The Climate Change grant scheme will help local groups tackle climate change and reduce district emissions through a variety of climate action projects. These could include installing renewable energy and switching to low carbon heat sources, through to setting up climate awareness training or active travel schemes. There is £20,000 available in total, with five grants ranging from £1,500 to £8,000.
Nine different organisations were supported across the two schemes last year, with a total of £45,000 funding awarded. These included:
- Hartland Men’s Shed, who were awarded £5,000 through the Countryside scheme to improve the outdoor area at their workshop, creating a garden to grow their own vegetables.
- Fleet Repair Café received just over £4,000 from the Climate Change scheme, helping them promote the Repair Café to a wider audience, as well as ensuring they have the correct tools to fix items that are brought in.
Councillor David Neighbour, Leader of Hart District Council said “We had great interest in both grant schemes last year, so we’re delighted to once again be offering local community and voluntary groups the chance to apply.
“These grants will help fund vital projects that could minimise the community's impact on climate change and increase our biodiversity and wellbeing through projects that improve our green spaces.
“I look forward to learning about the great projects our wonderful community put forward.”
Applications close on Friday 31 October for both schemes. To find out more about the grants visit www.hart.gov.uk/community/grants-and-funding.