Who can apply
We’ll only fund applications from formal partnerships. You must apply with at least one other organisation. We do not fund applications from single organisations.
All partners should be working together towards a shared goal.
The kinds of partnerships we’re looking for
Your partnership can be:
- local or regional
- based in one of the UK countries, or UK-wide
- built around a shared theme or identity (not just a place)
- new or already established
We usually give our funding to a lead organisation. They’ll then pay the other partners for the work they do. You’ll need a written agreement with your partners before your project starts, but not before you apply.
You can still apply if you’ve had Climate Action Fund funding in the past. We’ll consider how your new proposal fits alongside any existing projects.
If your partnership does not have a lead organisation, we can pay each partner separately. All partners must still meet our eligibility criteria.
Your partnership agreement
You must have a written agreement that explains:
- how you’ll work together
- each organisation’s roles and responsibilities
- your shared commitment to the project
You’ll need to have this agreement in place before your project starts, but not before you apply. You’ll have up to 6 months after we offer funding to get the agreement in place and start your project.
You can use our partnership agreement template (Word, 229 KB), or create your own. If you’re unsure, we recommend getting your own legal advice before signing any agreement.
Who should be in your partnership
We want to fund partnerships that bring in different perspectives and reach people who are not yet involved in climate action.
We’re especially keen to fund partnerships that help people take their first steps into climate action, starting with things they already care about or take part in.
We want to fund partnerships that:
- include organisations that do not usually focus on climate or the environment
- use people’s everyday lives and interests as a starting point for climate action – for example, through sport, art, health, or local clubs and communities
- involve the communities they work with in the design and delivery of the project
- include people with lived experience
- work across different sectors
- include at least one partner with experience in climate or environment work
- bring in expertise in public engagement, communications or learning, either from your team or by involving another organisation with specialist experience
We’re particularly interested in projects that take new or unexpected approaches to reach people who are not yet involved in climate action.
Types of organisations we can fund
Each organisation we fund must be one of the following:
- a constituted voluntary or community organisation
- a registered charity
- a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO or SCIO)
- a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee – you must be a registered charity or have a not-for-profit asset lock in your articles of association
- a community interest company (CIC)
- a school, college or university – if the project benefits the wider local community
- a statutory body – including local authorities, town, parish or community councils
- a community benefit society
- a co-operative society – you must have a not-for-profit asset lock and be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority
We’re also open to partnerships that include other types of organisations, such as private companies, but they cannot receive any of our funding.
Board and governance requirements
All organisations we fund must have at least 2 board or committee members who are not related.
We consider people to be related if they:
- are married or in a civil partnership
- are in a long-term relationship or live together
- are related by blood or through a partner
- live at the same address
All companies that apply, including charitable companies, must have at least 2 unrelated directors.