Zero Carbon Communities Grant scheme

The Zero Carbon Communities Grant Fund is open to community groups and parish and town councils, with grants of up to £35,000 available.
 

Free webinar on Thursday 12 October at 7.30pm 

This free webinar to support the Zero Carbon Communities Grant Fund will include updates from community groups about projects that were successful in the previous round of funding.

Email climatechange@uttlesford.gov.uk to receive the joining link for the webinar. 

 

Projects might include:

• community buildings - for example, energy conservation or efficiency measures
• nature and biodiversity projects - this could include community allotment projects, or the restoration, creation or enhancement of a community nature area
• other projects - such as waste reduction projects or community initiatives that promote sustainable lifestyle choices

You are welcome to apply for more than one project.

However, we are aiming to allocate funding so that we can support as wide a range of projects as possible across the district.
 

Who can apply

You can apply for a Zero Carbon Communities Grant if you are a:

• parish or town council within the Uttlesford district
• formally constituted community group or community interest company working within the Uttlesford district
• 'not for profit' groups that are not formally constituted but that are supported by a constituted mainstream service, town or parish council or community group willing to administer funds through an organisational bank account
   

How much you can apply for

You can apply for a minimum of £1,000 and up to £35,000 per project.
 

How the grant will be paid

If your application is successful we will prepare a funding agreement for you. This will include arrangements for how we will pay the grant to you.

⚠ Funding will not be paid for activities that have already taken place.
 

What we fund

As well as capital costs, we can fund:

1. salaries of project workers
2. salaries of management staff who supervise project staff. These should be in proportion to the staff time spent on the project
3. reasonable expenses of project staff and volunteers
4. marketing and publicity for the project (as appropriate)
    

What we cannot fund

We cannot pay for:

• activities, events or services which have already taken place, including staff development time
• activities that benefit individuals, rather than the wider community
• activities that generate profits for private gain
• religious activity or content (although we are able to fund religious organisations if they are providing benefit for the wider community)
• activities that replace government funding (for example, we can only fund school activities that are additional to the curriculum)
• renewable energy installations where it is intended to claim Renewable Heat Incentive payments, or any such payments where the use of public grants renders the installation ineligible for such payments
• loan repayments

We encourage you to spend any funds allocated through the scheme with local businesses.
 

Conditions of funding

If your organisations is awarded a grant you will be expected to comply with the following conditions as a minimum.

1. Funding must only be used for the agreed purpose and must be spent within 12-months of the award being made except where exceptional circumstances apply and an extension is agreed with the grants officer in writing.
2. Where a proposal anticipates financial savings or income, the applicant will need to show this will be for the benefit of the community.
3. Publicity must take place acknowledging the award provided by Uttlesford District Council.
4. Any unused grant must be returned to Uttlesford District Council.
5. An end of project report with photographs must be submitted to the Council within 3 months of project completion.

In addition, all projects must follow national legislation, guidance and good practice in relation to:

• equality and diversity
• health and safety
• safeguarding
   

Part-funding

Where appropriate, we encourage you to seek part-funding from other sources including your town or parish council.

You do not need to do this, but if the grant fund is oversubscribed, we will prioritise proposals that include funding from other sources. Part-funding can include your own fundraising and can be of monetary and/or in-kind value.
 

Before you apply

You should be the person authorised to make the application on behalf of your organisation.

You'll need to provide us with details about how your organisation is run and its finances. We'll also ask you to send us copies of your organisation's:

• most recent audited financial accounts
• constitution
• equalities policy
• safeguarding policy, if you have one

You will also need:

• a quote for the project costs
• details of the methodology used to calculate carbon dioxide reduction or capture
• sketch or planting plan if applicable to your project

You can upload these documents as part of your application, or you can send them to us by email.

Guidance

There is more information to help you with your application in our Zero Carbon Communities Grant guidance notes.
 

How to apply

You can apply using our online form.

Apply

The closing date for applications is midday on Monday 4 December 2023.
 

After you have applied

You'll get a confirmation email with a copy of your application form after you've applied.

All eligible grant applications will be reviewed by an evaluation panel made up of 3 councillors and including the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change. The evaluation panel will then make recommendations to the Cabinet for decision.

We will aim to let you know of the decision within 2 months of the application deadline.