Cumbria County Council has allocated £6,000 to Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), a climate change charity, to provide grants to community groups hosting events during Great Big Green Week, 10-18 June.

The funding, from the Council’s Environment Fund, will see grants of up to £300 be made available to help community organisations arrange and host their own event. The funding can be used for venue hire, publicity, speaker expenses, film hire, or other resources.

Great Big Green Week, a national campaign organised by the Climate Coalition, aims to raise awareness of climate change and get more people involved in taking action to reduce their carbon footprint.

The week will see a variety of celebratory events taking place across communities in the UK including wildlife walks, films, talks, litter picks, forest school events, vegetable growing, as well as larger events to support sustainable business and sustainability festivals.

In addition to the funding, CAfS will be providing supplementary resources for the events, including materials with information on how to reduce your carbon footprint, and information about their Cold to Cosy Homes initiative which aims to provide support and advice to people struggling with their energy bills.

Councillor Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“I am delighted that the council is able to support CAfS with providing grants for this year’s Great Big Green Week. Climate change is already a threat to Cumbria and is one of the greatest threats to humanity globally so this campaign is a great opportunity for us all to consider the effect our actions have on climate change and the part we can play in tackling it.

“Collectively there’s so much we can do to make a difference and reduce our impact on the planet so if you’re thinking about putting on an event, I’d encourage you to get in touch.”

Helen Attewell, CAfS Cumbria Sustainability Network Coordinator, added:

“These grants are an easy way to enable community groups to put on an event for Great Big Green Week in June. Up to £300 can be provided towards expenses to help make the event a success.

“We’re looking to encourage events in areas which have maybe missed out in the past, and with more vulnerable communities, such as migrants and refugees, older people, younger people, and people with disabilities. We are all going to have to live with the impact of climate change, but it’s important that people who already face challenges in their lives, for example around the cost of living, aren’t disadvantaged further.”

For more information and how to apply for a grant, visit https://zerocarboncumbria.co.uk/action/great-big-green-week-2023/.

From 1 April, grants will be delivered in partnership with Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council and CAfS.