Applying for environmental grants is quite complicated and we need you to complete our forms correctly.
The following information is intended to guide you throught he application process.
You can download:
Who can apply
Environmental project grants are available to locally based organisations or community groups undertaking practical projects that support one or more of the priority areas identified by the Environmental Framework, and involve or bring benefits to the residents of Cambridge.
Groups that can show they are working actively towards these priority areas can be considered for funding.
Note that your group will not be eligible if you:
- provide religious instruction or worship (religious organisations might be eligible for grants to provide sustainability activities)
- operate for private gain
- are connected with any political party or are involved in party politics
In addition, grants are not made to pay for activities that have already happened, to help raise money for appeals or for individuals.
If you think there is a problem please email the Sustainable City team for advice and assistance.
Conditions of funding for environmental project grants
Groups must:
- be independently set up for charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes
- meet relevant legal responsibilities
- decide policy and overall management practice through a committee of elected, unpaid volunteers
- have a constitution or set of rules defining aims and procedures
- meet the needs of Cambridge residents and be open to all eligible users, as defined by your constitution or rules
- have systems and structures in place so that you can manage your affairs efficiently, hold regular meetings to plan and monitor activities, keep minutes and circulate information to group members
- involve members and users in policy-making and in management, where appropriate
- recruit and support volunteers, where appropriate
- meet the legal responsibilities of an employer if appropriate; adopt, implement and monitor good employment practices and procedures
- adopt and implement a policy to protect the environment
- establish and monitor equal opportunities policies and practices
- adopt appropriate health and safety policies and practices including child protection measures if appropriate
- prepare budgets, keep relevant financial records and documents, monitor income and expenditure at least quarterly and prepare proper accounts. (Grants will only be made to groups which havesubmitted satisfactory accounts in the previous two years unless the group is recently formed)
- show that you need financial help. (Accumulating unrestricted reserves and fundraising capacity will be taken into account when grant levels are decided. Groups with accumulated reserves must have an appropriate policy, based on Charity Commission guidelines)
- apply to all relevant statutory agencies for funding and undertake your own fundraising. (Groups providing services relevant to the work of another agency, for example the county council, health agencies, another district council, should apply to that agency for funding. We will not generally fund services that are the remit of other of our committees or meet others’ statutory duties, for example education, health of other agencies)
- charge users, if this is necessary, at a reasonable level and offer concessionary rates to low income residents
- provide any information required to support your application
Funding priorities
The City Council's Environmental Framework specifies 3 main outcomes and 9 related objectives as the priority areas for action, as listed below. Collectively, these cover a broad range of environmental issues, for example reducing incidences of anti-social behaviour affecting the environment to reducing emissions of carbon dioxide. Groups must show how their project addresses these objectives.
Outcome A: Tackle the causes and consequences of climate change
- A1: reduce carbon dioxide emissions
- A2: manage climate change risks
- A3: reduce fuel poverty
Outcome B: Minimise waste
- B1: reduce the amount of waste generated
- B2: increase waste reuse, recycling and composting
- B3: reduce waste sent to landfill
Outcome C: Protect the local environment
- C1: reduce pollution of air, water and land
- C2: improve street and environmental cleanliness by reducing levels of litter, detritus, graffiti, fly-posting and fly-tipping
- C3: protect and enhance local wildlife
How applications are assessed
Applications are assessed by councillors, who refer to a range of criteria, including:
- the extent to which the project supports the objectives specified by the environmental framework
- the evidence of need for the project
- other sources of funding available to the project
- whether the aims of the project are clear, and achievable within the specified timescales and budget
- whether the project represents value for money (comparing the grant requested against the benefits specified)
- what tangible outputs will be produced by the project, and whether these can be effectively monitored
Contact us for further information or assistance.
Is this the right grant for you?
If your project does not fit the criteria for a environmental project grant you might consider applying for one of the many other grants offered by us.
For example a project to create flowerbeds in a public area could benefit from an environmental improvement grant, or a safer city grant could help fund a project aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
For more details on the different grants available contact Elaine Shortt.
Download the Environmental Project Grant application form.
