Council launches two new grants to help organisations go greener faster
Community organisations and businesses in the Winchester district can now get funding towards green initiatives thanks to two new grant schemes recently unveiled by Winchester City Council.
The first scheme, the Go Greener Faster Grant, is to help not-for-profit organisations, and the communities they support, become more sustainable, as well as potentially lowering running costs through energy saving.
The second scheme, the Green Business Grant, will similarly fund projects focusing on sustainability, but is instead targeted towards businesses in the district.
Both grant schemes have been devised as part of the council’s efforts to tackle the climate emergency, as set out in its Carbon Neutrality Action Plan (CNAP) and Green Economic Development Strategy.
Projects funded by the grants will need to support the priorities set out in the CNAP, such as reducing energy consumption, reducing transport emissions, or increasing renewable energy use.
Speaking about the grants, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency Cllr Kelsie Learney said:
“These new grant schemes will help our district’s communities and businesses go greener, faster. Whether it’s by installing solar panels or upgrading to electric transport, any initiative that helps reduce carbon emissions will be considered.”
“The funding is an important part of the support we’re giving to help the district become carbon neutral by 2030.”
Cabinet Member for Business and Culture Cllr Lucille Thompson said:
“Businesses have an important part to play in helping to reduce the carbon footprint of our local economy and wider district.”
“I’d encourage local businesses and other organisations to take full advantage of this funding, alongside our free carbon assessments, to improve their sustainability, support our environment and potentially reduce their energy costs too.”
Applications for both grants are now open. Businesses applying for the Green Business Grant will need to match fund a minimum of 50% of the project cost, whilst organisations applying for the Go Greener Faster grant will need to match fund 25%.
More information about the Go Greener Faster grant can be found at: www.winchester.gov.uk/go-greener-faster-grant
Further details about the Green Business Grant can be found at: www.winchester.gov.uk/green-business-grants