Bradford Council is working in partnership with the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to offer grants to community groups to support climate-friendly projects as we work towards a just transition to a net zero carbon region.
What is the purpose of this scheme?
In the Bradford district, we aim to achieve net zero carbon by 2038, and we need everyone on board to make this possible.
This initiative seeks to support communities that may be unable to reach net zero on their own, promoting behavioural shifts and increasing community awareness whilst improving our sense of place.
What kind of projects does this include?
Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 will support community proposals for:
- Energy – local clean and flexible energy solutions
- Building – healthy, affordable and efficient community buildings
- Transport – walking, cycling and public transport
- Nature – green and climate-ready nature and biodiversity solutions
Community organisations (Voluntary, Community or Social Enterprises) will engage local residents in working towards common goals, setting up neighbourhood-level projects that will reduce their carbon footprint and support climate resilience and sustainability.
Project ideas:
- Developing locally generated clean energy schemes, producing onsite energy\renewable energy, for example, solar panels, wind turbines.
- Making community buildings resilient to climate change and increased fuel costs through insulation, A-rated appliances, LED lighting or heat pumps – reducing consumption and promoting good practices to local residents.
- Reducing car and fossil fuel usage by making it more appealing to cycle, walk or use public transport.
- Finding ways of working with nature, such as preserving or increasing biodiversity in our green spaces, strengthening the link between residents and nature through access to green space, growing local food, and creating opportunities for people to connect with nature.
Some project criteria:
- Ensure your project is driven by an understanding of local needs and is developed with local people.
- Focus on activities which have the potential to make a meaningful and lasting change to the carbon footprint of your community
- Aim for long-term changes in behaviour, ways of working and practices to be at the core
- Welcome ideas which attract match funding and partnership working
Interested in applying?
The application process is in two stages – stage one is an expression of interest, and stage two is a detailed application.
Guidance on how to send an expression of interest form, plus detailed information about the application process and terms of the scheme, can be found here: https://www.bradford.gov.uk/your-community/community-grants/the-west-yorkshire-mayor-s-climate-community-grant-scheme-bradford/
Key dates:
We will accept expressions of interest from Tuesday, 18 July, up to Monday, 4 September 2023.
Organisations who are then invited to submit full applications must do so by Monday, 2 October 2023.
Grant panel decisions will be issued by Monday, 30 October 2023.