Grants of up to £5K for efforts to make local life eco-friendly

Eco-friendly projects in Bath could receive up to £5,000 for their efforts.

Grants are now available for projects reducing carbon emissions in Bath and surrounding areas thanks to the Bath and West Community Energy Fund (BWCE Fund).

The award-winning BWCE Fund was set up in 2010 to own and develop renewable energy projects and has since become one of the largest community-owned energy companies in the UK.

As a Community Benefit Society it gives surplus income to BWCE Fund, which has asked Quartet Community Foundation to administer the BWCE Fund grant funding programme, giving grants to community groups and local environmental organisations.

The grant programme is now open for the seventh year. Applications for grants of up to £5,000 are invited before the 2 November 2020 deadline.

Last year nine projects received over £28,000 in funding to lower carbon emissions and address fuel poverty. Carbon reduction does not just relate to energy projects; it might also include local food, sustainable transport or waste reduction or any activity that reduces carbon emissions.

Sophie Hooper Lea, Chair of Trustees for BWCE Fund, said: “This year, of all years, I am extremely grateful to BWCE and its members for giving surplus income to the BWCE Fund for us to redistribute to vital community projects improving our environment.

“As communities work together to recover from the Covid-19 crisis, we will now consider applications for projects that increase the resilience of communities in a way that also reduces carbon emissions.”

Transition Larkhall was one of nine groups to benefit from the last round of BWCE Fund grants, for the Alice Park Community Garden’s ‘Edible Food Forest’ project. Carol Stone from Alice Park Community Garden said: “Since easing of lockdown we have reintroduced weekly volunteering sessions for up to six people and the garden is again open to the public 24/7.”

Interested projects need to apply through the Quartet Community Foundation website https://quartetcf. org.uk/grant-programmes/bathwest-community-energy-2/