Open for bids this autumn, Merton’s new £500,000 Community Climate Action Fund will invite proposals from Merton residents and community organisations to tackle climate change in the borough. The Fund complements the existing £750,000 Civic Pride Fund – Investing in Neighbourhoods.
The new Community Climate Action Fund will be made available evenly over the next three years, approximately £166,000 annually. This will allow residents or groups who aren’t ready to bid – or who aren’t initially successful – to bid in future.
Councillor Natasha Irons, Cabinet Member for Local Environment, Climate Change and Green Spaces said: “I am delighted that our Cabinet has approved Merton’s Community Climate Action Fund which will fund projects led by the community that support climate action in Merton.”
Councillor Eleanor Stringer, Cabinet Member for Civic Pride added: “Working with the community to find solutions to the challenges that we face is a great way to create civic pride and deliver a sustainable future. Merton Garden Streets, The Wheel and Energy Matters have each received funding from the Civic Pride Fund – Investing in Neighbourhoods and are examples of how local initiatives can make a real difference.”
Communications to raise awareness of the funds will begin later this month to allow sufficient time for bidders to develop project proposals before the funds launches this autumn.
To discover which previous projects received support from Merton’s Civic Pride Fund – Investing in Neighbourhoods, please see: Civic Pride Funds : Investing in Neighbourhoods | Merton Council.
Further details of both Funds can be viewed by reading the Cabinet paper: LB Merton Cabinet Paper. To learn more about Merton’s Climate Strategy and Action Plan, visit: www.merton.gov.uk/climatechange. *The Funds have been approved, subject to call in.
NOTES
- Merton’s Community Climate Action Fund and Merton’s Civic Pride Fund – Investing in Neighbourhoods will open for bids this autumn.
- There will be one application form for both funds to make the process as streamlined as possible for residents and organisations.
- The bidding form will be available from early August via Civic Pride Funds | Merton Council to give residents and organisations more time to develop project proposals before the funds open for bids this autumn
- Merton’s Community Climate Action Fund will be worth £500,000 over three years (approximately £166,000 per year) and will be open for bids led by the community, not council projects. This is the first year of this fund.
- Please see www.merton.gov.uk/climatechange for more information on Merton’s Climate Strategy and Action Plan, and progress against the projects delivering it set out in annual Climate Delivery Plans.
- Merton’s Civic Pride Fund – Investing in Neighbourhoods fund will be worth approximately £750,000. Merton Council’s website www.merton.gov.uk/civic-pride/neighbourhood hosts information on previous projects supported by this fund.
