Community Pot
The Carbon Literacy Community Pot
Access funding to empower your local community to take climate action and support Manchester to become the world’s first Carbon Literate City!
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.
Local communities, especially those that are underrepresented, marginalised or disadvantaged, are vital contributors to Manchester Carbon Literate City: an initiative bringing together people who live, work and study in Manchester, and organisations based here, to become Carbon Literate and collaborate in cultivating a low-carbon culture shift across the city.
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.
Use this opportunity to bring Carbon Literacy to your local community, empowering every community member to take their best action and help Manchester become a fairer, more resilient and connected Carbon Literate City.
What is on offer?
Get support from the Community Pot
This opportunity provides a one-off allocation of up to £3000 in funded credits to the Recipient Group’s Carbon Literacy account. These credits can be used for the following services offered by The Carbon Literacy Project:
- Course accreditation
- Individual certificate applications
- Access to sectoral materials that are relevant to the Recipient Community Group
In addition, recipients can also benefit from:
- Access to our Delivering Successful Carbon Literacy workshop for those who wish to become certified facilitators
- Carbon Literacy Facilitator (CLF) accreditation
- Onboarding and a dedicated account manager to support your initiative
- Assistance with comms to amplify your work
Our Community Pot has a total of £15,000 in funded credits available. These funds are made possible by contributions from organisations that have paid enhanced rates for Carbon Literacy Certificate Applications, and also through generous grants received from Patagonia and Manchester City Council to support community groups in Manchester to contribute towards making Manchester a Carbon Literate City.
Who can apply?
The initiatives we support
We’re looking to support Carbon Literacy training initiatives of:
- Community groups
- Faith-based groups
- Social housing tenants
- State schools
- Charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs) or Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
Eligible groups must live, work, or study within the area of the city and metropolitan borough of Manchester (check eligible postcodes here).
Organisations that exceed these criteria may apply as a training organisation on behalf of an eligible community group if they are well-placed to reach the specific community. Additional support, such as assisting with course development and training would be expected of these applicants.
How to apply
Apply before the deadline
To apply for funded Carbon Literacy services, you must complete the online Application Form by Monday, 15th of September 2025, 13:00 (BST).
Before applying, please make sure you read the Application Guidance. This document provides detailed information concerning:
- Definitions of key terms
- How the funding works
- Eligibility criteria
- Application process
- Terms & conditions
- A copy of the questions with example answers
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 it’s difficult or impossible for you to complete an online application form due to a disability, please contact us for support. We’re happy to discuss other ways you can share your idea, such as using EasyRead or an accessible PDF.
For more information about this opportunity and to ask questions, register for our free Q&A webinar on Tuesday, 19th August at 13:00 – 14:00 (BST). The event will be recorded and uploaded here.
If you have questions in the meantime, please email [email protected].
Meet the UK Black, Asian & Ethnic Minorities Recipients
Our most recent Community Pot funding round provided the equivalent of £12,150 in funded services to 7 community groups working with Black, Asian & Ethnic Minorities across the UK to deliver Carbon Literacy.
Meet the recipient groups and discover the unique Carbon Literacy initiatives they are implementing to empower local communities to take meaningful climate action.
Meet the Black, Asian & Ethnic Minority Recipients here.
Meet the Global South 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.
“Our Carbon Literacy initiative aims to educate and empower disadvantaged communities in Bradford, particularly the BAME community, on environmental sustainability. By providing comprehensive training to local volunteers and community leaders, we hope to foster sustainable practices, reduce carbon emissions, and improve overall well-being.”
ZA Community Officials
This funding will support complimentary Carbon Literacy training for economically underserved communities in Kenya, aiming to bridge this knowledge gap. With this support, ZuriPlanet Africa can offer Carbon Literacy training to 190 individuals and cover the costs of course accreditation. This initiative will empower these communities to understand better and address climate challenges, reduce their carbon footprints, and adapt to climate change impacts in one of the world's most vulnerable regions.”
Michael B. Esilaba, Executive Director, ZuriPlanet Africa LTD
“This funding will allow us to make climate education more accessible and digestible. It will be used by the Black Ecofeminists Network to provide marginalised communities the opportunity to become certified Carbon Literate citizens, which can show future employers that they have taken the step to understand climate change and take climate action in their local communities.”
Black Ecofeminists Network
“We're excited to offer Carbon Literacy training to 50 young Nigerian researchers and educators, supported by The Carbon Literacy Project, NGYouthSDGs, and Zeroverse. This initiative will empower youth to tackle climate change and drive systemic change. We look forward to the sustainable solutions participants will develop through their action plans.”
NGYouthSDGs