Core funding grants
Cambridge Carbon Footprint
This community-based project aims to educate local people about their personal contribution to climate change, through their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from such activities as:
- using electricity
- heating a home
- driving a car
- travelling by plane
Volunteers from Cambridge Carbon Footprint attend community events and give talks on climate change to encourage individuals to make a commitment to reduce their CO2 emissions every year. Computer software developed by the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is used to calculate an individual's 'carbon footprint' (their annual CO2 emissions) and advice is then given on how to go about reducing these emissions.
This project is run by local people who are committed to helping their community make a difference and have really taken to heart the message of think global, act local.
Cambridge City Greenways
This project began in 1998 and is principally funded by us.
Its aims are to:
- enhance wildlife habitats within Cambridge through practical management work
- raise the profile of the wildlife in the city and its value to the local community by organising talks, walks, pond dipping and other events
- encourage local residents to get involved, through volunteering in the conservation group to manage wildlife sites and participating in wildlife surveys (most recently a bumblebee survey in 2008, and a bat survey in 2010).
Greenways are corridors of wildlife habitat leading into the city that are designated on the local plan. Work focuses on four identified greenways, as well as county and city wildlife sites in Cambridge
The City Greenways Project officer also works closely with local landowners, advising them on how best to manage their sites for wildlife, and assists our community reserves officer with the management of the city's local nature reserves.
Cambridgeshire Travel For Work Partnership (TfW)
The Cambridgeshire Travel For Work Partnership promotes sustainable travel through facilitating the writing and implementation of workplace travel plans.
Their 'Take
A Stand' scheme provides up to 50% funding for Cambridge employers wishing to provide or improve cycle parking for employees.
Funding is only proivded if TfW is assured that employers follow their guidance on the style, siting and spacing of the
stands.
In 2008/09, TfW provided just under £8,000 to three local employers to install facilities for 80cycles and shelter
for 40 spaces.
Project grants
Freedom Club Timebank
The Timebank uses time as a currency for
connecting people in their communities for mutual benefit. Membership is free for groups and individuals. Members 'deposit'
time in the bank by giving practical help and support to other members and are able to 'withdraw' time when they need something
done themselves.
Skills include gardening, sewing, knitting, DIY, languages, companionship and completing official forms.
The Timebank also runs special projects such as
- clearing members' gardens so they grow their own food;
- the Abbey Apple Press, available for Cambridge groups and individuals to juice their own fruit;
- encouraging people to reduce their food waste and recycle more.
To join the Timebank or for more information contact Time Broker David
Boffey on 07757 103 149 or via david@freedomclubtimebank.org.uk.
Friends of Histon Road Cemetery
This project aims to increase the biodiversity found at the Histon Road Cemetery. Other cemeteries in the city are designated City Wildlife Sites (CWS) - with a few small changes this site may also in time be designated as a CWS.
The 'Friends Of' group proposes to attract wildlife and increase biodiveristy found at the cemetery by
- sowing wildfower seeds;
- establishing some areas of shallow standing water (to provide a source of drinking water for wildlife)
- and installing bird nesting boxes.
The Council's CHYPPS team (Children and Young People's Participation Service) are involved in helping young people to make the nesting boxes.
Cambridge Greentech
Cambridge Greentech is a not-for-profit collective established in 2009.
The group runs the Phoenix Powerbus - a mobile sustainable living education resource complete with a wind turbine, solar pv panels and a pedal powered cinema. Audience participation is encouraged to help to power the cinema and other activities at local events.
The Power Bus had its first outing at the recent Environment Event at Milton Country Park as part of the 2010 Cambridge Environment Festival, and Cambridge Greentech have plans to deliver workshops to schools and other community groups in and around Cambridge.
To subscribe to their email bulletin visit www.cambridgegreentech.org .
