Community organisations and city, town and parish councils are invited to apply for funding to become carbon neutral and mitigate the impacts of Climate Change in Somerset, ahead of the deadline of 12 November 2020.

Somerset County Council Leader David Fothergill announced in February 2020 that £1 million would be made available to support local communities.

Community organisations in unparished areas and city town and parish councils in Somerset are invited to bid for between £5,000 and £75,000 by 12 November 2020.

The money must be used for innovative projects that can make a real difference in reducing carbon emissions and can contribute to making Somerset resilient to the effects of Climate Change.

All applications must be submitted by your parish, town or city council or local member if you are in an unparished area, so if you’ve got a great idea for what your local council might do, get in touch with them now. Window one of the application process closes on 12 November. Window two will open on 1 December 2020.

Councillor Fothergill said: “This is a great opportunity for city, town and parish councils to support their own communities to get involved in reducing carbon emissions.  Somerset is working towards being carbon neutral by 2030 and if we are to reach this target, then everyone has an important part to play.”

Councillor Clare Paul, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health & Well-Being and Climate Change, added: “We have already received some great applications for interesting and innovative projects and are looking forward to seeing more that can make this £1million go as far as possible.”

For information about the Somerset Climate Emergency Community Fund scheme, criteria and application process, visit https://www.somerset.gov.uk/climate-emergency/