Community Pot
Want to empower your community to take climate action, but facing funding barriers?
We’re all feeling the effects of climate change, and most of us want to do something about it. But those on the frontlines of climate change – who are often least responsible for causing the problem to begin with – also have fewer tools to enact the change they want to see.
Carbon Literacy® training is one proven and reliable tool for delivering action to cut carbon emissions and improve the health and prosperity of our communities in the process. Climate action is for everyone, but the Environment, Sustainability, Climate & Conservation sector is suffering from a lack of diversity.
Just 6% of staff in the sector identify as people of colour or other racially/ethnically minoritised groups, compared to 15% in the UK’s working population (The RACE Report, 2023). To avoid reinforcing climate injustices and ensure we all have the tools required to enact the change we want to see, we must do more to address this significant underrepresentation of the UK’s population within the sector.
What is on offer?
Get support from our Community Pot
Our Community Pot aims to improve access to Carbon Literacy training for those who might otherwise struggle to afford the costs associated with initiating training.
The equivalent of £35,000 in funded services is available in this round, for groups from, or with connection to, UK-based Black, Asian, & Ethnic Minority communities (Max. £7,000 per applicant).
The funded services available include:
- Course accreditation
- Certificate applications
- Access to our relevant sectoral materials
- Additional support to establish your CL Initiative
- Assistance with comms to amplify your work
The Community Pot has been created with contributions from organisations that have paid enhanced rates for Carbon Literacy Certificate Applications.
So, what are you waiting for? Use this opportunity to bring Carbon Literacy to your community, empowering every voice to take their best action and build a stronger, more connected and prosperous community for tomorrow, today.
Who can apply?
Who are we intending to support in this funding round?
The Recipient Community Group must be:
- UK-based
- From, or working closely with, Black, Asian, & Ethnic Minority communities
- As well as either one of the following:
- Charities and non-profits
- Small community groups that have limited or no other funds, including Unintegrated Associations (see Key Terms, p. 2)
Larger organisations may apply as a delivery organisation on behalf of an eligible community group.
Delivery Groups must:
- Be well-placed to reach a specific community group
- Provide additional support, such as assisting with course development & training, would be expected of the delivery organisation
- Understand that funded services will only be available for use by the Recipient Community Group.
We intend the Pot to be used mainly to directly fund access to Carbon Literacy for small, local, community groups. Applications from those with the least funding may be prioritised.
How to apply
Application window opens – Friday 1st November 2024 at 12pm GMT
Application window closes – Thursday 12th December 2024 at 12pm GMT
Before applying, please make sure you have read the Application Guidance.
This document provides detailed information concerning:
- Definitions of key terms
- The funded services on offer
- Eligibility criteria
- A copy of the questions with example answers
- Terms & Conditions
Please note, this document is intended to be used for preparation purposes only and is not an alternative application form. Only applications submitted via the online Application Form will be accepted for consideration.
If you have any questions, join our online Q+A on 21st November (11:30 am – 12.30 pm) or get in touch with our team at communityfund@carbonliteracy.com.
Meet the Global South Round Recipients
Our first public Community Pot funding round provided the equivalent of £25,000 in funded services to 13 low-income and underrepresented groups across countries in the Global South.
Meet the recipient groups, spanning Central and South America to Africa, and discover the unique Carbon Literacy initiatives they are implementing to empower local communities to take meaningful climate action.
Meet the Global South Round Recipients here.
"We need to face up to this major challenge, partly because of the health and quality of life of our own residents. We want to clean up the air that they breathe, we want to reduce the use of plastic that's cluttering our rivers and our green spaces. We want to put Greater Manchester in a position of leadership on this crucial issue that will shape the 21st century, but if we are to succeed it does require radical action now."
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
You can't necessarily on a day-to-day basis see the impact of climate change but all these things are happening and they're things that have implications for our survival. [With Carbon Literacy] people are consistently coming away with that understanding and, critically, with the motivation to do something about it … they leave the room pumped and ready to go.
Richard Smith, Sustainability Manager at the BBC – CLT
By teaching about Climate Change in lessons I feel like we are helping to save the world in a small way. I am very proud that a lot of pupils gained the Carbon Literacy award. I know that there are many, many more of our pupils who are capable of this now. They are confident enough to talk about the science of Climate Change and how to stop it increasing. These pupils now have the confidence to teach others about Global Warming and Climate Change. They have taught parents, pupils, outside agency and schools in other countries.
Margaret Lynch-Deakin, Teacher at Heald Place Primary School