Local organisations invited to apply as BWCE Fund opens new funding round
Our community benefit fund is now open for applications until 29th October 1pm.
We invite local organisations and groups to apply to our popular BWCE Fund grant programme, back for its 13th year. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for fuel poverty and carbon emissions reduction projects in Bath and surrounding areas.
As a Community Benefit Society, our surplus income is given to the BWCE Fund, which is administered by Quartet Community Foundation, giving grants to community groups and local environmental organisations.
Carbon reduction does not just relate to energy projects; it might also include local food, sustainable transport or waste reduction or indeed any activity that reduces carbon emissions. Typically the Fund receives fewer applications around addressing fuel poverty or affordable warmth - so applications in this area are particularly welcomed.
Earlier this year eight projects in or near B&NES received £33,962 in funding to address fuel poverty or lower carbon emissions. These grants supported:
Addressing food and fuel poverty and reducing food waste - supporting delivery of community meals made using surplus food that would otherwise go to waste (FoodCycle); creation of a garden for young people to actively grow their food (Lux Youth Project); and provision of tailored essential items to help people affected by fuel poverty across B&NES (Genesis Trust).
Energy efficiency in community buildings and transport - a new sealed inner entry door and blower tests for air tightness (PCC Weston All Saints and Climate Friendly Bradford); and energy efficient lighting (Mentoring Plus).
Environmental education - through ‘How-to workshops’ (Bath Share & Repair); and training for sessional workers and volunteers to deliver practical sessions for pupils learning to care for school-based tree nurseries (More Trees BANES).
“Taking action at the local level to tackle the climate emergency has never been more important and it’s always exciting to see new projects coming forward each year. We are very proud of all the local organisations we have funded so far and of the clear community benefit they deliver.
We are aware that fuel poverty is not just a winter issue as our climate changes and would like to see projects that provide, for example, more warm and cool spaces for vulnerable people in the area. We would also welcome projects that help to shift people from oil heating in rural areas to low carbon alternatives.”
All the application details can be found on the Quartet Community Foundation website, and information about grants awarded in previous years on our Community Fund page.