GROUPS hoping to apply to South Lakeland District Council's new Climate Change Community Fund have only a week to do so before the application window closes.

SLDC launched the fund to support the authority’s aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions. The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday, September 28.

Applications will be considered from charities, community interest companies, parish councils, voluntary groups and other not-for-profit organisations in South Lakeland looking to reduce carbon, enhance biodiversity to support carbon offsetting measures (through, for example, tree planting or peat restoration), address community behaviour change and consumption habits or promote community/ domestic energy efficiency.

The funding must be spent to benefit the local community and the fund will support up to a maximum of 50 per cent of total costs (more than 50 per cent for groups with an exceptional case).

Councillor Dyan Jones, SLDC’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Localism, said: "We are really looking forward to using this fund to support projects with sustainability, biodiversity and the environment at their core.

"During our recent Climate Conversation events it was clear that there was a desire to do more, to do small, local projects within communities. This fund is aimed directly at meeting that need and enabling community action which will help achieve our carbon reduction aims.

"I would urge anybody trying to get a project of this type up and running to put in an application."

Initially, £20,000 is available. Grants will be for a minimum of £500 and maximum of £5,000.

The fund can support all costs relating to projects or activity, including: core costs (for example staff or office costs), project costs (for example venue hire, project worker) and capital costs (such as supporting the cost of a renewable installation).

The fund was approved earlier this year at the same time as SLDC's Climate Change Action Plan to support the council's target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. SLDC also supports a county-wide carbon neutral target of 2037.

In March last year, the council, along with all other Cumbrian authorities and the National Parks, adopted the Cumbria Public Health Strategy. The strategy includes a key aim of becoming a "carbon neutral" county and mitigating the likely impact of existing climate change.

For more information about the fund and to apply, go to https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/your-environment/climate-change-and-biodiversity/tackling-emissions-in-south-lakeland/