How to apply
Apply online
You can apply online by telling us about your project idea and how it fits with what we want to fund.
If you need help with your application
If you or a partner organisation cannot complete the online form, we can offer different ways to tell us about your project:
- an Easy Read version of the application form and guidance
- a PDF version of the application form
- a British Sign Language (BSL) version of the application form and guidance
If you have communication support needs, contact us.
How much you can apply for
The minimum amount you can apply for is £500,000.
Most projects will be asking for between £1 million and £1.5 million to run over 3 to 5 years. But we’ll also consider larger or longer-term projects.
If you’re applying for a higher amount or a longer project, tell us why in your application. We’ll contact you if we need more detail during our assessment.
What happens after you apply
It usually takes at least 6 months from when you apply to when you find out if you’re getting funding. Here’s how the process works.
We assess your first-stage application
- we’ll look at how well your project fits with what we want to fund
- we may contact you to talk about your idea or ask for more information
- we aim to let you know within 10 weeks if you're moving to the next stage. If you are successful, we'll ask you to send us a full proposal
- If your application is not successful, we’ll tell you why. We will not be able to give detailed feedback
We’ll only take forward the strongest applications because demand is high.
You send us a full proposal
- we’ll ask you to send a full proposal within 6 weeks
- we’ll give you guidance on what to include in your proposal
Read the guidance for full proposals.
One of our team will read your proposal and get in touch to learn more. This may include:
- phone calls or emails with you and your partners
- a visit to your project
- more detailed questions to help us assess your idea
If we do not think your project is ready at this stage, we may decide not to take it any further.
We make a final decision
We aim to make a final decision around 4 months after we receive your full proposal. Our Climate Action Fund panel will decide whether to offer you funding.
If you're not successful, we’ll give you feedback and may suggest other opportunities. For example, other programmes or groups doing similar work.
If your application is successful
We’ll work with you to:
- help you celebrate and promote your funding
- support you to share learning and connect with others
What we’ll ask you in the application
We’ll ask you three main questions. Each has a word limit of up to 1,000 words — but do not worry if you use fewer.
1. What’s your proposed project idea?
Tell us:
- what your project is about
- how it fits with our funding priorities
- how you plan to use the money
- what you hope to change in the short and long term
- why now is the right time for your project
- how the community has helped shape your idea
- how you know the project is needed
- what might increase its chances of success — for example, support from your local authority or community
2. How will you work with others to deliver your project?
Tell us:
- about your organisation and why you’re applying
- which communities, groups or organisations you’re working with — or plan to work with
- why your partnership is well-placed to deliver this work
- what each partner will do
- how you’ll share learning with partners and with other projects or communities
3. How does your project help communities take climate action?
Tell us:
- how your project will positively impact communities, now and in the future
- how it will inspire people to take climate action
- how you’ll support people who face barriers to getting involved — for example:
- people affected by racial or ethnic injustice
- disabled people
- LGBTQ+ people
- people seeking asylum or who are refugees