The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has launched a £10m fund to help fund major community projects to tackle climate change.

The Climate Action Fund is looking for applications for “community driven energy projects that can deliver both environmental and societal benefits”.

This includes changing home energy use to reduce carbon emissions, fostering community engagement and helping create a “clean energy generation”.

Benefits the NLCF is looking to see from the funding include improved health and wellbeing, creation of local ‘green jobs’, reducing carbon emissions and “supporting communities to be more resilient”.

Applications will remain open to December “at least” said the NLCF, depending on the level of applications.

A minimum grant of £500,000 is on offer and projects can apply for up to £1.5m over two to five years. The funder aims to support around eight to 12 projects.

“Climate change matters to people and communities, so it matters to us,” said NLCF head of climate action Nick Gardner.

“This new funding programme explores how community-driven energy projects can deliver environmental and societal benefits for people and communities across the UK. Communities are well-positioned to play a vital role in our response to the climate emergency, and engaging communities in conversations around energy locally can inspire action at scale and develop long term sustainable behaviours.”

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