Yahoo News Community Foundation to fund up to £500,000 for environmental projects in North East
The Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland has allocated up to £500,000 to go to environmental projects.
Every year, the Foundation awards grants to hundreds of small charities in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, and across North East England, through funds set up by a range of donors. This funding announcement follows a report that highlights how local environmental action can make a difference.
The Vital Signs North East Environment report, published by the Community Foundation, has outlined the three major challenges that we face. The first is climate change, the rise in global temperatures, resulting in more extreme weather events and putting pressure on critical systems such as agriculture.
As well as this, declining biodiversity is a huge issue, causing damage to ecosystems upon which we depend for food, clean air, materials and medicines. There are also immediate everyday issues, such as air and water pollution, litter and waste management and access to green spaces.
The report also points out the types of things that can be funded locally in order to make a difference, and this is what the Community Foundation’s latest call for applications is focused on. Projects that tackle issues directly in communities, as well as those that help raise awareness and encourage action, will be considered for funding.
Re-wilding programmes, recycling and repurposing projects, raising awareness in communities, and improving the energy efficiency of a building are examples of activities that would be considered.
Rob Williamson, CEO of the Community Foundation, said: "While environmental issues can often feel overwhelming, we firmly believe that local action can make a difference. In addition, we are fortunate to have many very special natural assets in the North East that are worth protecting. We also know that a number of our donors are eager to fund projects that can help tackle the environmental challenges we face.
"That’s why we’re able to allocate up to £500,000 for such projects this year. Having the Vital Signs research behind this effort will help ensure we direct resources to the areas with the greatest potential for impact."
To read the full call for applications and to go forward with the application process on behalf of a community organisation, visit the Community Foundation website here.
