Successful applications will explain how they will deliver all three priorities:
1. Support more people to take action on climate change:
by enabling communities in Wales who are not usually engaged in climate change to help tackle the climate emergency and inspire others.
We want to fund projects that are inclusive and engage people from diverse backgrounds in climate action.
Strong applications will support groups of people living in the same place or who have something in common, such as age, religion, disability, income or gender.
We want to support both urban and rural Welsh communities. We particularly want to support people with low incomes or those who have vulnerabilities that make them less able to respond to climate change.
We want to fund ideas developed with people in the community, based on what’s important to them. Projects should motivate people to take practical action, not just raise their awareness. This may involve developing skills.
2. Reduce our impact on the climate:
by empowering community-led activities to reduce carbon emissions and promoting a sustainable, low-carbon future for Wales.
We want to fund projects that inspire people to change the way they behave and have a meaningful and lasting impact on reducing carbon emissions in their community.
For example, projects could relate to food, transport, energy, or waste and consumption. Ideas should focus on encouraging changes in the way people behave that will last. We can fund community services as well as the development of facilities to help make this happen.
We want to know about the changes you’ve made and to fund those that make a strong impact. You can measure how people’s behaviour changes, how carbon emissions reduce, or in other ways that fit your work. You should also tell us how you might keep up the work in your community after your funding ends.
3. Share what you’ve learnt with others:
by evidencing impact and sharing what the group learns about how to reduce carbon emissions and engage communities in climate action.
We will fund organisations that want to learn, and plan to share what they learn with similar groups. We particularly want groups to share experiences about reaching new people, motivating behaviour change and measuring carbon emissions. We will share guidance to help with this. It will be ready by 31 March 2023, in time to support groups before they start their projects.
What we expect to fund
We’re looking to fund between 10 and 20 community projects, depending on what people ask for. We’re expecting to get a high number of applications which means we’ll have to make some difficult decisions about what we’ll fund.
We want our grants to encourage diverse communities to engage with climate change. This should happen in ways that are important to those communities and which make a lasting impact on the way people behave. We will fund a range of projects across Wales.
The main focus of your project should be about engaging with climate change. But we would also like to know about the other benefits of your project. These could include things like improving people’s wellbeing, improving relationships between people and organisations, or improving biodiversity.
We are less likely to fund projects where the main focus is nature or conservation. But we recognise that these are important areas, and that biodiversity is declining. So we want to fund projects that have thought about the impact their activities will have on nature and, where possible, limit anything that is damaging.
Working with others, or in partnership
We want to fund projects that fit in with what’s already happening around climate action. So we need to know how you’ll work with other organisations and people - in your community or more widely.
You do not need experience of climate action to apply. But we strongly recommend that you seek support from those with experience to help with your idea. This may mean working in partnership with other organisations to help design and deliver activities.
You can also apply if your organisation is experienced in climate action. But you should show how you’ve engaged meaningfully with the community and show how the community will help deliver and manage the project.
The projects we’re unlikely to fund
We are unlikely to fund:
- projects that will not help people to change the way they respond to the climate emergency
- projects that do not focus strongly enough on climate change, even if there will be broad benefits for your community or to people’s wellbeing
- small scale energy features for buildings, unless they are part of a wider project involving the community in climate action
- projects where the community has not been engaged in developing the idea
- broader environmental or nature projects that do not focus strongly enough on climate change or living more sustainably.
If your project is focused on wellbeing you may prefer to apply to our People and Places programme.
Delivering your project bilingually in English and Welsh
When you receive funding from us for a project in Wales, you’ll need to deliver it in Welsh as well as English. You’ll also need to make sure all your activities are available to your community in both languages.
For further information read our guidance on managing your project bilingually or contact the Welsh Language Team at welshlanguage.advice@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
Make sure your budget includes costs for delivering your project bilingually, such as for translation. It may be that you also need to consider other ways to reach your target audience.
Keeping people safe
If your project will work with children, young people or vulnerable adults - you need to have a policy in place that explains how they’ll be safe.
We recommend that you visit the NCVO website which provides a range of child safeguarding advice and information services for the whole of the UK.
Should you be successful in your application, we would expect you to adhere to our expectations as set out in the grant holder policy around safeguarding children and adults at risk.
Subsidy Aid
Our grants come from public funds and successful applications will be asked to comply with the UK's International Subsidy Control Commitments listed on the GOV.UK website. You should seek independent legal advice if you need more guidance.
Visit our Climate Action Hub
We're committed to helping you protect the environment. In addition to Sustainable Steps Wales, our Climate Action Hub has information about our approach to tackling the climate emergency. The hub includes learning, insights, stories and information about other funding.
