Funding opportunities

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. 
• Funding to help communities tackle climate change (Climate Action Fund)
  Grants of up to £1.5 million are being provided to tackle climate action. This fund is open to organisations who are working in formal partnership across sectors. The partnership should inspire people to take action and influence communities at a regional or national level through linking climate action to everyday life and the interests of local communities. The fund is particularly interested in funding projects involving people, places and communities that are experiencing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage. Applications will be accepted until at least late 2025.
• 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. Applications are expected to close in August 2025 for tree packs to be delivered in November 2025. 
• 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 2026.
• 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. 
• New Fund launched for community organisations to enhance energy efficiency (Crowdfunder)
  Energy Efficiency Sharematch has been launched to support co-operative Societies, community Benefit Societies and charitable community benefit societies to undertake activities to reduce their energy usage or identify alternative sources of energy that lead to a reduction in the organisation's carbon footprint. The fund can be used fo installations such as: new on-site energy/heating generation measures and energy efficiency measures in a building (eg insulation, LED lighting, double glazing, draft-proofing, improved doors). Organisations can apply for a share of £250,000 to fund the measures. Most grants are expected to be awarded in the range of £10,000-15,000, with the minimum grant being £5,000. The fund will run until March 2026, but there is ambition to award all funds before this date.
• Funding for school climate and biodiversity projects (The Royal Society)
  The Royal Society's Tomorrow's Climate Scientists Programme, as an extension of their Partnership Grants Programme, is offering grants of up to £3,000 for UK primary and secondary schools with projects tackling climate change and biodiversity. To qualify for the funding, 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 application process for the Partnership Grants scheme involves two stages, with the first stage applications due by the 11 July 2025.
• 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.
• National Lottery Grants for Heritage of up to £10 million available (National Lottery Heritage Fund)
  Not-for-profit organisations across the UK can now apply for grants between £250,000 and £10 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for projects connecting people and communties to UK heritage. The funding can support a broad range of activities and project costs such as volunteer expenses, capital works, repairs, maintenance, conservation costs, professional fees, events costs and the aquistition of heritage. All projects must consider the long-term environmental sustainability. Partnerships are encouraged. Up to 10% match funding is required. The next closing date for expressions of interest for National Lottery Grants for Heritage is 12pm on 6 August 2025. 
• 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 2026, applications will close earlier if all funding is allocated. 
• 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. 
• Grants to support projects in horticulture, plant sciences, fine art & art history (The Finnis Scott Foundation)
  UK charities and charitable organisations, including schools and colleges, can apply for grants to support projects in horticulture and plant sciences as well as the study, exhibition and conservation of fine art. The Finnis Scott Foundation is interested in supporting horticultural training through bursaries and apprenticeships. The sponsoring institution should make applications, individuals are not able to apply. The Foundation will consider applications for one-off grants up to £10,000, however most grants awarded are around £5,000 or less owing to high demand. Higher grants are available when funds permit. The next application closing date is 4pm on 18 June 2025.
• Grants to help get people back on their bikes this summer (Cycling UK)
  Local volunteer led-groups, social enterprises, and other not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £3,500 to deliver cycling events to get people back on their bikes this summer. The Big Bike Revival Programme will support organisations across England to deliver a summer programme of activity to encourage those who do not currently cycle and those returning to cycling. The programme aims to engage people from diverse backgrounds as well as people experiencing social, economic and health deprevation and those facing complex challenges. The funding has been made available by the Department for Transport and can be spent on anything that supports the delivery of events including staffing, equipment, promotional material, consumables and volunteer transport. The closing date for applications is 14 July 2025.
• £5 million fund to revitalise historic buildings (Architectural Heritage Fund)
  A new £5 million fund has been launched to help communities across England rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings such as theatres, department stores and former banks. The Heritage Revival Fund will support charities and social enterprises in taking ownership, adapting, and reusing these buildings for community use. Three levels of funding are available: Project Viability Grants up to £15,000; Project Development Grants up to £100,000 (minimum 10% match funding required); Capital Works Grants up to £350,000 (minimum 20% match funding required). Expressions of interest should be submitted for Project Viability and Project Development Grants. On 12 May further guidance and information will be provided for Capital Works Grants. No deadline has been confirmed. 
• 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.
• Funding to promote home electrical safety for vulnerable people (Electrical Safety First)
  Fire and rescue services, trading standards authorities, community safety organisations and other not-for-profit organisations will soon be able to apply for grants of up to £5000 to deliver initiatives that help vulnerable people across the UK improve electrical safety in their homes. The funding is made available through the Electrical Safety Fund, which aims to keep people safe in their homes by tackling the risks associated with electrical appliances, through increasing awareness and promoting behavioural change. 
• Ignite Impact Accelerator competition (IGNITE)
  Ignite is a social enterprise competition supported by the Ford Family Foundation for student and graduate entrepreneurs providing solutions to some of the world's toughest problems. This competition is for social impact trailblazers emerging from UK universities who are tackling social and environmental problems with scalable and entrepreneurial solutions. Applications must be submitted by 31 July 2025. The finalists will be selected to do a live pitch on 23 October 2025 in London to win a share of £50,000 equity-free grant funding.
• Funding for community environmental projects (The Naturesave Trust)
  The Naturesave Trust, a charity funded by premiums from Natursave Insurance, has announced its latest round of funding. The trust offers grants of up to £5,000 for small projects run by charities, social enterprises, and grassroots community organisations. This fund is looking to support organisations who are working to connect communities to nature to improve people's physical and mental wellbeing as well as create positive action for climate change. Activities supported could include community gardening, green gyms, eco anxiety and mental health, urban nature programmes and more. The Trust does not provide grants to schools or government-funded organisations, and all projects must be based within the UK. Applications are open and close at 12pm on 15 July 2025.
• Grants of £100,000 to use the arts to raise awareness of climate change (The ScottishPower Foundation)
  The ScottishPower Foundation has launched the Art for Climate Fund to harness creative practice to raise awareness of climate change. There will be two grants available of up to £100,000 each. The purpose of the grant is to build knowledge and capacity for climate action through arts. The grant responds to the need for urgent community engagement on environmental issues. Eligible activities include performances, exhibitions, workshops and installations. Projects must inspire evidence-based action, foster an appreciation of nature and promote sustainable development. The applications are open to UK charities with at least three years' registration, a board of three trustees, an income between £130,000 and £10 million and published accounts. The deadline for applications closes on 18 July 2025.
• £85 million fund to support arts and cultural buildings (Arts Council England)
  The fund will allow arts and cultural organisations in England to apply for a share of £85 million in government funding to support urgent capital works, building repairs and upgrades. Grants of up to £10 million will be available through two funding strands to support organisations in restoring, retrofitting, or renewing cultural assets, including urgent work to address issues which prevent them from effectively delivering work for the public. Eligible projects include building repairs, improving energy efficiency and accessibility and replacing outdated systems. The Creative Foundations Fund will be open to venues including theatres, grassroots music venues, contemporary arts centres, galleries but excludes libraries and museums. Expressions of interest must be submitted by 25 July 2025. 
• Up to £10,000 available for community tree planting projects ( Network Rail and The Tree Council)
  Network Rail and the Tree Council through the Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund are offering grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 to support biodiversity and community wellbeing. Eligible projects include tree and hedgerow planting, educational activities that engage schools and community groups and maintenance of newly planted sites. These initiatives aim to offset the environmental effects of railway operations and encourage sustainable land management. The projects must be in close proximity to Network Rail lines or stations in England, Scotland or Wales, and is available to local authorities, charities and other NGOs, community groups, education institutions and individual landowners. Applications close 31 July 2025.
• Grants for sustainable climate change projects UK (The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust)
  To address climate change and its impacts, organisations, charities and individuals across the UK can apply for grants that support and promote low-carbon, sustainable alternatives to mainstream economic models. The funding aims to support campaigns, initiatives, and projects that promote alternatives to consumerism and amplify the voices of young activists and marginalised groups on economic and environmental justice. Previous grants range from a few hundred pounds to over £100,000. The deadline for registration is 18 August 2025 and applications are to be submitted by 12pm on 1 September 2025. 
• Grants of up to £40,000 available for tree planting projects (The Tree Council)
  The Tree Council's Trees Outside Woodland Fund is offering grants between £10,000 to £40,000 to support projects that establish trees outside of woodlands to enhance green spaces across England. Local authorities in England and registered charities with a turnover exceeding £100,000 can apply. Applicants must have written permission for each planting site and public liability insurance. This is a two stage application process. Interested groups must submit an expression of interest, shortlisted projects will then proceed to a full application. The deadline for expressions of interest is 31 October 2025 or until all the funding has been allocated. 
• Grants for planting trees, hedges and orchards (The Tree Council)
  The Tree Council's Branching Out Fund is offering schools, parish and town councils, tree warden networks within the UK and community groups the opportunity to apply for grants of between £250 and £2,500. The fund aims to engage communities and young people up to the age of 21 to get involved in planting and caring for trees. The funding can cover the cost of trees, hedges and orchards, peat-free compost and/or soil improvers and reasonable costs of non-plastic protection and supports. There is specific criteria for the value of the grant. Applications close at midnight on 14 November 2025. 
• Grants of up to £20,000 to support local climate action (National Lottery Community Fund)
  Community-led organisations are invited to apply for its National Lottery Awards for All England - Environment grant programme, with grants between £300 and £20,000 for projects lasting up to two years. The funding aims to tackle environmental challenges at a local level, supporting projects that enable people to connect with, care for and protect nature. The projects must also deliver benefits for people and the natural environment. Applications are welcomed from registered charities, constituted voluntary or community organisations, charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), not-for-profit companies, community interest companies (CICs), schools (if the projects benefit the wider community), statutory bodies, community benefit societies and community sports clubs. Applications close on 17 December 2025.
• 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. 

• 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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