National Lottery sponsors climate action projects with £2.5m funding boost

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Posted 3 September, 2021

Credit: Unsplash

By Jessica Byrne

London, UK

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‘Together for Our Planet’ will offer grants to initiatives that foster community-level action tackling the climate crisis.

Independent billionaires might still be occupied with advancing carbon-emitting space travel, but there are some wealthy companies offering support to organisations that are working to make our home planet a better place.

One of the most recent announcements of this kind came from The National Lottery. This week, it announced a new scheme called ‘Together for Our Planet’ which will provide funding for long-term climate action in communities across the UK.

Launched by The National Lottery Community Fund – which has already established itself as the largest funder of community projects in the country – the initiative will set aside £2.5million for local climate-saving projects.

Grants between £1,000 and £10,000 will be offered for organisations committed to developing methods for lowering emissions in food, transport, energy, waste, consumption, and natural environment sectors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjZ133-vxmU&ab_channel=TheNationalLotteryCommunityFund

National Lottery Community Fund Climate Action Wales (English subs) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjZ133-vxmU&ab_channel=TheNationalLotteryCommunityFund)

The aim of ‘Together for Our Planet’ is to boost community activity that will help the nation reach its goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

Applications for the project opened on the first of this month and will close on 18^th of November – a few days after the global climate conference COP26 concludes in Glasgow.

Indeed, launching the project at this time is strategic. ‘Together for Our Planet’ aims to build on the buzz and anticipation around COP26, where people who may have not been interested in climate action begin to pay attention – possibly for the first time.

The Head of Climate Action at The National Lottery Community Fund, Nick Gardner, said: ‘COP26 looks set to be a pivotal point in the global response to the climate emergency.’

‘We are keen to reach those who are not sure how to take climate action or haven’t before, helping ensure that climate action moves further into the mainstream, and is accessible and relevant to all communities,’ he continued.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVcimSMyIHs&ab_channel=TheNationalLotteryCommunityFund

It’s fantastic to see this type of funding for community led projects, in light of the news that the UK government’s plans for COP26 are still in progress – just weeks before the event commences.

Recognising that climate change disproportionately affects marginalised communities, the initiative will prioritise applications from communities hit hardest by climate change, as well as organisations which are now getting their climate action plans started.

‘Together for Our Planet’ is part of the National Lottery Community Fund’s Environment Strategy which was founded in 2016. So far, it has provided over 6,600 grants – worth a total of £397million – for environment-related projects.

Alongside its recent launch of The Community Fund’s online Climate Action Hub, it appears the National Lottery is striving to start a legacy that lasts well beyond COP26. We’ve got to say, we’re here for it!

Jessica Byrne

Senior Writer & Media Coordinator London, UK

I’m Jessica (She/Her). Originally from Bermuda, I moved to London to get a Master’s degree in Media & Communications and now write for Thred to spread the word about positive social change, specifically ocean health and marine conservation. You can also find me dipping my toes into other subjects like pop culture, health, wellness, style, and beauty. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

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