£197k National Lottery boost to help tackle climate change in Fife

Greener Kirkcaldy has received £197,289 of National Lottery funding announced today [17 August], to lead a local partnership taking action on climate change in Fife.

The ‘Climate Action Fife’ project will bring together cross-sector partners, including Fife Council, Fife College and Fife Communities Climate Action Network, to work with Greener Kircaldy. The project will build capacity in local communities to take action on climate change, engage people from all backgrounds and sectors, pilot a range of activities to tackle carbon emissions, as well as develop ambitious longer-term plans.

Christine May, Chair, Greener Kirkcaldy, said: “We are extremely thankful to The National Lottery Community Fund for this award to deliver an innovative and ambitious climate action project for Fife. We are thrilled to be the first project in Scotland to be part of this exciting new fund, which will empower people and communities across the UK to take the lead in tackling the climate emergency.

“This is a key step towards our vision of a Fife where everyone is working together towards a low-carbon future. We’d like to say a big thank you to all National Lottery players for making this happen. We are very excited to be part of this new national movement for change.”

Kate Still, Scotland Chair at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We’re delighted that, thanks to National Lottery players, people and communities across Fife will be taking action to reduce their carbon footprint and demonstrate what is possible when people take the lead in tackling climate change.

“From 25 years of funding environmental projects across the UK, we know that local community action is at the heart of delivering solutions that not only minimise the impact on the environment, but also offer extra benefits that people and communities can reap. In the last few months we have been reminded that communities truly understand their places and spaces, and so often play a vital role in responding in a crisis, and we’re confident with people in the lead communities can tackle climate action and responding to the climate emergency.”

Today’s award to Greener Kirkcaldy is amongst the 14 grants across the UK totalling over £14 million which are the first that are awarded under the Fund’s ten-year £100 million Climate Action Fund.

The Climate Action Fund is part of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Environment Strategy which has seen significant National Lottery investment through community-led projects that are focussed on activities that not only improve the environment but use it to enhance the lives of people and communities. Since April 2013, the Fund has awarded more than £340 million to environmental projects, through 4,796 grants across the UK.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk