Kirklees is actively participating in a program aimed at benefiting community groups and voluntary organisations throughout West Yorkshire. These groups will receive grants ranging from £5,000 to £50,000 to undertake projects focused on addressing the pressing issue of the climate crisis.
Working together with One Community and Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, along with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Kirklees Council is facilitating the distribution of these grants to support various climate-friendly initiatives.
The funds will be utilised to support a diverse range of projects that prioritise the protection of nature and biodiversity, promote walking and cycling, enhance community access to green spaces, improve energy efficiency in buildings, and encourage the development of renewable energy sources.
With the goal of reducing emissions across the region, this scheme will remain open until December 2024. The funding for these grants is derived from the mayor’s dedicated £40 million fund, which is aimed at combatting the climate and environmental emergency.
In November 2022, the Council launched Phase 2 of their Climate Change Action Plan, which emphasises a collaborative approach in tackling climate change. These grants represent a significant opportunity for Kirklees residents to actively engage in carbon reduction efforts on a larger scale within their local communities, directly contributing to the ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2038 for the district.
Councillor Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees, said; “We have ambitious goals in Kirklees, to be Climate Ready and reach Net Zero by 2038, and we need as many groups and individuals as possible to take action. This scheme is a fantastic way to support our communities to get involved.
“It’s great that the West Yorkshire Combined Authority share in our vision, these grants will make a real difference across Kirklees and all of West Yorkshire, with so many communities seeing the benefit.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said; “Tackling inequalities caused by the climate and cost of living crisis in our society is vital and these grants will make a positive difference on people’s lives.
“We’re stepping in at a difficult time where people have lost faith in the Prime Minister and the government’s commitment to tackle these crises.
“We’re giving our communities opportunities to act and implement essential projects that will cut emissions in their neighbourhoods instead of having them imposed by politicians.
“In West Yorkshire, we’re working to transition to a net zero economy by 2038 and we’re committed to working with our partners to be a greener and vibrant region.”
The grants are currently open for expressions of interest from community groups, local climate groups, and voluntary community and social enterprises (VCSEs) in Kirklees to make a significant impact on the local environment and community. Any group expressing interest will be sent a link to submit their application to One Community once the application period opens in the coming weeks.
The next milestone on the council’s carbon-neutral journey, the Environmental Sustainability Strategy, will be going to cabinet for approval this autumn.
You can find out more about the grants on the council website https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/climate-emergency/community-grants.aspx
