If you have an idea for a local project to tackle climate change, there are a wide range of grants available across the UK to help you. Below is a non-exhaustive list of council, local and national funding opportunities.
Council grants
No council grants for climate change initiatives are available at the moment. Check back here in future for updates.
Local grants
- Community Project Support (Lancashire County Council)
Lancashire County Council's community projects team support projects to strengthen communities and improve wellbeing. They are particularly keen to work with organisations who support: health and wellbeing, improvements to green spaces, food-growing and healthy eating projects, training and development support. - Lancashire County Council 4 Community
Lancashire County Council have launched a new, free-to-use online search tool for grants and funding. This includes help and advice on making a funding application. - Lancashire Climate Action Network (Lancs CAN)
Lancs CAN provides a list of local funding opportunities. -
Sustainability Fund; transforming local communities and environments (Veolia)
The Veolia Sustainability Fund provides in-kind resources, cash sponsorship or staff volunteers for community groups and not-for-profit organisations transform their local community. Successful projects will help to achieve one or more of the following: enhanced biodiversity, promotion of sustainable waster behaviours (reduce, reuse, recycle), protection or preservation of resources and the environment and the projects use of reused, recycled or reclaimed materials. Veolia will favour projects that have long term benefits for the community but will also consider them based on merit. Applications open on 22 May to celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity.
National grants
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding (UK Government)
The UK Government is offering funding to help cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler. Fossil fuel heating systems include LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), oil, electric and gas. Funding of £7500 is available towards an air source heat pump or ground source heat pump, and £5000 is available towards a biomass boiler. Check your eligibility to see if you qualify for this grant. - Grants of up to £15,000 available to help sports clubs become more environmentally friendly (Sport England)
Sport England are offering grants of up to £15,000 to support environmental sustainability projects. Grants range from £300 to £15,000 and are open to not-for-profit and physical-activity organisations. Successful projects must have a clear delivery plan, deliver tangible local benefits and address one of the six Every Move priorities: just transition - inequalities, inclusion and participation; energy and resources - carbon emissions from travel and facilities; energy and resources - circular economy for supply chains, products and waste; nature - blue-green environment quality and use; nature - biodiversity; resilience: adapting to climate change and extreme weather events. Priority will be given to initiatives that support low-income communities, disabled and older adults, marginalised groups (including parents with young children, girls aged 5-16, LGBTQ+ people and those in foster care), or that operate in high-need areas. There is no closing date. - Energy for Tomorrow (Centrica)
This scheme seeks to fund projects making a difference in the community. They support a range of projects, such as installing an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging point, through to funding transformational energy tools. - Free Trees for Schools and Communities (Woodland Trust)
The Woodland Trust are giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities. Applicants can request up to 420 saplings, with the available tree packs including: hedge, copse, wild harvest, year-round colour, working wood, wild wood, wildlife and urban trees. There are four different pack sizes available: 15, 30, 105, 420. Applicants can request up to four different tree packs as long as the total number of trees does not exceed 420. - Funding to build healthier ecosystems in urban and rural environments (The John Ellerman Foundation)
The John Ellerman Foundation is offering grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 per year for up to 3 years to UK registered charities with an income of between £100,000 and £10m. The funding will prioritise projects that can make a national impact or local initiatives that can be upscaled to a country level. Organisations that are eligible should take an evidence-based approach to improve the natural environment and understand the significance of habitats on both human wellbeing and the impact that people have on nature. There is no deadline to apply for this fund. - Workplace Charging Scheme for state-funded education institutions (UK Government)
This extended grant for state-funded education institutes provides support towards the costs of purchase, infrastructure and installation of electric vehicle chargepoints. Applicants can get 75% off the cost to buy and install chargepoints up to a maximum of £2500 per socket and up to 40 sockets across all sites (this includes any applications made previously through the Workplace Charging Scheme). Funding is confirmed until 31 March 2027. - Grant funding for community projects near landfill sites (Biffa Award)
The Biffa Award has several grant themes Rebuilding Biodiversity, Community Buildings, Recreation and Cultural Facilities. Eligible organisations must be fully constituted, charitable or not-for-profit with no share capital. The application value must be between £10,000 and £75,000. Each theme has its own eligibility criteria and all must benefit the whole community. - Funding for small organisations that will make a big impact on communities, people or the environment (Matthew Good Foundation)
The Grants for Good Fund awards £60,000 per year to 20 charitable organisations. Funding is provided every 3 months, 5 shortlisted projects receiving a share of £15,000. The funding is unrestricted and therefore can go towards any of the organisations running costs. Applicants are welcome to apply year round. - Funding to retrofit buildings with energy-generating or saving technologies (Power to Change)
Community businesses can apply for financial support ranging from £10,000 to £150,000 to help stabilise or reduce energy costs, supporting the transition to more sustainable energy practices. The funding, made available through the Power to Change Energy Resilience Fund, can be used for various projects, including retrofitting buildings with energy-generating or saving technologies. Up to 40% of the total funding can be provided as a grant, with additional energy audit grants available between £500 and £2,500. The grant is available to community businesses in England that own a building or have a long-term lease of 12 years or more. The programme is funded by Power to Change and delivered by the Key Fund. Community organisations in England can apply for a share of £250,000 of funding to reduce energy usage and carbon footprint. - Funding for projects that promote a better understanding of the environment and countryside (Niveveh Charitable Trust)
UK based schools and not for profit organisations can apply for funding to the Nineveh Charitable Trust for a broad range of projects and activities that promote a better understanding of the environment and countryside, whilst facilitating improved access, education and research. Applications can be submitted at any time. - Funding for community-led sustainability projects (Stobart)
The Stobart Sustainability Fund is providing funding to support the transformation of local communities through projects that tackle climate change, reduce emissions or protect and enhance the environment. Applications are welcomed from non-profit organizations, community groups, small businesses and educational facilities. There is no deadline. - Funding for people taking action in marine conservation (Sea Changers)
Sea Changers offer one-off grants to UK based charities and other organisations (this includes schools) who are taking part in marine conservation related activities. The projects which will be funded meet one or more of the following objectives; to address the root causes of marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK, to prevent or reduce negative impacts on UK coastal and marine environments and/or species, to add to the body of knowledge about marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK. For main grants between £500 and £2500, there are two grant round per year. The deadline for main grants are 31 March and 30 September. For small grants up to £500, applications are welcome any time. - Grants and loans for charities and social enterprises to improve energy efficiency (Social Investment Business)
The Energy Resilience Fund (ERF) is providing a blended funding package of loan (60%) and grant (40%) to improve the energy resilience of eligible charities and social enterprises in England. Incorporated voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations that are looking to install energy saving measures or generation technology to buildings/land, and/or to purchase energy efficient or environmentally friendly vehicles or equipment are invited to apply for the fund. If required, the fund will arrange an energy audit before continuing with the application process. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are unable to access mainstream bank lending for work. -
Funding available for facilities damaged by extreme weather (Sport England)
Sport England's Movement Fund is supporting community organisations that have been affected by the impact of Storms Bert and Conall. Grants of up to £15,000 are available for community organisations to cover costs such as: skip hire to remove sediment and rubbish, minor electrical works to restore power, decontamination works or clearing of blocked drains, cleaning work to get showers and changing rooms back up and running, and securing buildings. Grants are available to not-for-profit organisations, including sports clubs, charities, schools and local authorities. The fund has been open since April 2024 and there is no application deadline. -
Funding available to protect water and land environments (The John Ellerman Foundation)
The John Ellerman Foundation's People and Planet funding scheme is offering grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 per year for three years to UK charities and non-profit organisations working to protect, restore, or sustainably manage the natural environment. The scheme prioritises projects that enhance ocean health through stronger marine protected areas, community engagement, and reduced overfishing; build healthier ecosystems on land and in freshwater through sustainable management, habitat restoration, and landscape-scale conservation; and address the impact of human activities like climate change and pollution on air, land, and water. The focus is on the UK and UK waters. However, the Foundation is also keen to support land and marine-based work in the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs). There are no deadlines and applications can be submitted at any time. -
Funding for farmers and land managers in England's Protected Landscapes (UK Government)
The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is part of Defra's Agricultural Transition Plan, offering funding to farmers and land managers in National Landscapes, National Parks and Broads. It will fund projects that support nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage and protect or improve the quality and character of the landscape or place. The programme will run until March 2029. -
Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship Grant Scheme (MCS Foundation)
As part of The MCS Foundation's work to achieve a carbon-free and future-proofed heating system for every home, they have supported the roll-out of the UK's first dedicated heat pump apprenticeship. Grants are available for training providers and employers as follows. Training providers who commit to starting the Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship in 2025 or 2026 are eligible to apply for up to £10,000 to improve the delivery of the apprenticeship. For example, this could be used to purchase equipment for the classroom or to train staff to deliver the apprenticeship. Employers who commit to taking on a Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprentice can apply for up to £2,000 per apprentice (up to a maximum of 3) towards the associated costs once they have completed 6 months of employment. Applications are on a first come, first served basis, until all the funding has been allocated. -
Loan programme to help charities with rising energy costs (Big Issue Invest)
Charities and social enterprises in England which are struggling with rising energy costs can apply for unsecured loans of between £20,000 and £200,000 to install energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. The lending programme will enable organisations to save money on energy by installing a variety of measures such as efficient lighting, insulation, heat pumps, replacing old boilers with new efficient ones, double glazing and draught improvements to keep costs low. The funding has been made available by Big Issues Invest through their Big Energy Savings Loans. Interested organisations should register their interest. -
Homes England and Octopus Real Estate launch £150 million Greener Homes Alliance Phase 2 (Homes England)
Homes England, in partnership with Octopus Real Estate, has launched Phase 2 of the £150 million Greener Homes Alliance to support SME housebuilders in delivering high-quality, energy efficient homes across England. Developers who meet 4 out of 10 new green criteria can access discounted interested rates of up to 2%. To qualify, all homes must be fossil fuel free. There is no confirmed closing date, applications can be submitted via Octopus Real Estate official channels. -
Funding for community energy projects (Younity)
Community energy groups across England are invited to register their interest for funding to support projects that deliver positive social and environmental outcomes within local communities. The fund is offered by Younity in partnership with Your Co-op Energy. The Powering Communities Fund aims to help groups and organisations to deliver social impact projects, such as creating community resources and running events for young people. Grants of up to £3750 can be used to cover the cost of equipment, local events or workshops, staff, developing a local service or venue and volunteer training. Organisations must have a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Younity or have utilised their Kickstart Loan facility to be eligible. -
Grants of up to £55,000 for projects supporting climate resilience in vulnerable communities (MACC Hub)
The MACC Hub Flexible Fund, administered by Third Sector Support Wales, support projects that implement or scale adaptation actions through meaningful community engagement. Grants are available for academic-community partnerships that focus on building resilience to climate change among vulnerable groups. Charities, not-for-profits, local authorities, businesses and community groups are welcome to apply but must be led by a UK academic institution eligible for UKRI funding. Projects can run for up to 12 months. Applications are open, but a virtual sandpit session will be held on 8 July to help applicants develop ideas and partnerships. -
£5 million fund to revitalise historic buildings (The Architectural Heritage Fund)
A new £5 million fund has been launched to help communities restore and repurpose neglected historic buildings such as theatres, former banks and department stores. Charities and social enterprises will be supported in taking ownership, adapting and reusing these buildings for communities. There are three levels of funding available, Project Viability Grants (up to £15,000), Project Development Grants (up to £100,00, minimum 10% match funding required) and Capital Works Grants (up to £350,000, minimum 20% match funding required). No deadline has been confirmed. -
£46 million investment to revive historic buildings (The Architectural Heritage Fund)
The Architectural Heritage Fund has announced a further investment in the Heritage Revival Fund to support community-led organisations across England in repurposing neglected historic buildings. The programme aims to bring disused heritage buildings, particularily those in town centres, back into community use, creating sustainble new uses such as community hubs, cultural venues, workspaces or affordable housing. Support is available at all stages of development, from early feasibility and project planning through to capital works. - Funding for environmental and social wellbeing projects (The Calisen Impact Charitable Trust)
Grants are available to UK registered charities for projects that support the delivery of postive social, environmental and wellbeing outcomes. The aim of the funding is to drive social and economic development in communities through initiatives that focus on sustainable energy solutions and support safe, inclusive and diverse educational and work environments. There is no specified total grant value and no deadline has been confirmed. - Grants to help disadvantaged people access the benefits of the countryside (CLA Charitable Trust)
The CLA Charitable Trust is an organisation dedicated to helping disabled people and those which are disadvantaged to visit and participate in learning experiences about the countryside. Funding is available for small and medium sized charities and not-for-profit organisations based in England and Wales which have a clear social purpose. Applicants must not have received a CLACT grant in the last three years and have a current safeguarding policy in place. Grants of up to £5,000 are available and expressions of interest are open. - Funding for Green Heating Projects (UK Government)
Capital funding is open to private, public and third sector organisations in England to support new and existing heat networks move to low and zero technology through the £288 million Green Heat Network Fund. Round 11 is open for applications and will close at 11:59pm on 1 May 2026. - Grants of up to £500 for Outdoor Activity Projects (The Alpkit Foundation)
Individuals, not-for-profit organisations, schools and community groups can apply for grants of up to £500 to encourage people across the UK to get involved with outdoor activities and experiences. Applications can be submitted at any time. - Funding for school climate and biodiversity projects (Royal Society's Tomorrow's Climate Scientists Programme)
UK schools can apply for grants of up to £3,000 for projects tackling climate change and biodiversity. This funding is provided by the Royal Society's Tomorrow's Climate Scientists Programme, part of their Partnerships Grants Programme, which aims to engage students in environmental challenges whilst promoting STEM education. To be eligible, schools must partner with a STEM professional from academia or industry. The grants are primarily intended to cover the cost of necessary equipment for these projects. The deadline for application is 30 December 2026. - £1 billion funding boost announced for electric vans, trucks and infrastructure (UK Government)
UK businesses and public sector organisations can access up to £1 billion to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure. The grant aims to reduce upfront costs and improve access to charging facilities. Support included up to £81,000 off the heaviest zero-emission trucks (covering up to 40% of the purchase cost), and up to £5,000 off new zero-emission vans. Organisations can apply for up to £1 million to install chargers for vans, coaches and HGVs, covering up to 70% of the costs. - £1 billion investment for community clean energy schemes (UK Government)
The UK Government have announced up to £1 billion in investment to expand community-owned clean energy through the new Local Power Plan. The programme will be delivered by Great British Energy, in partnership with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Further information will be available when the fund launches later in 2026. - Grants of up to £20,000 to support local climate action (National Lottery Community Fund)
Grants of up to £20,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations to tackle environmental challenges at the local level and will support community-led projects that help people engage with, care for, and protect nature and the local environment. The funding can be used for a wide range of activities such as creating community gardens, wilding green spaces, tree planting, outdoor learning, repair and reuse sessions, food-growing iniatives, and energy-saving projects such as solar panel installation. Eligible applicants include charities, voluntary groups, CIOs, CICs, community benefit societies, schools (for community-focused work), and statutory bodies. Applications can be made any time, provided they are made at least 16 weeks before the project commences.
- Find a Grant - a service to help you find government grants and check if you are eligible to apply. You can sign up to get alerts when new grants are available.
- My Community - helps you to search for grants to deliver your projects
- Grant Finder - a funding database in the UK covering local, national and international sources of funding
- Energy Saving Trust - list of grants and loans for saving energy
- Community Energy England - a comprehensive list of updated grants for community energy schemes
- North West Net Zero Hub - free strategic and technical support for local community groups to develop net zero projects.
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