Moorlands Community Climate Change Fund launched

Published on 2 July 2021

Children and young people are at the heart of a new grant funding scheme to support Moorlands communities who are tackling the climate emergency.

Since declaring a climate emergency almost two years ago, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has developed a series of key actions including setting up the £10,000 Community Climate Change Fund.

As with many things, the Covid pandemic has meant a slightly delayed launch of the scheme which is now open for applications.

The priority for year one is to offer grants of up to £300 to support the establishment of Eco-schools and projects being undertaken as part of an Eco-school initiative.

Councillor Joe Porter, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: "The steps we take now to mitigate climate change will have the biggest impact on the lives of today's young people and the generations to follow as they are the ones who will really feel the consequences if we fail to act.

"That's why I'm so pleased to be launching this grant scheme with schools. It's critical that we harness the interest and engagement many of our young people already have in the environment by getting them directly involved in projects aimed at improving the places in which they live and learn now and for the future.

"I hope schools across the Moorlands will take full advantage of this opportunity and I look forward to seeing the exciting and innovative schemes they put forward for funding."

The Eco-schools initiative is part of the Keep Britain Tidy charity which seeks to empower children to drive change and improve their environmental awareness.

The type of projects the Community Climate Change Fund will assist include tree planting and habitat improvement, local food projects, recycling and re-use schemes and green travel initiatives.

To find out more and apply go to www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/ClimateChangeFund