Community Pot
Manchester Carbon Literate City - Community Fund
Funding available to support you and your community in Manchester to take climate action, and support Manchester’s initiative to become the world’s first Carbon Literate City!
Launched in September 2024, Manchester Carbon Literate City (MCLC) is an initiative coordinated by Manchester City Council and The Carbon Literacy Project, bringing together:
- People who live, work or study in Manchester
- Organisations that are based in Manchester
To collaborate on our shared Carbon Literacy journey, with the aim of collectively achieving Carbon Literate Locality status for the city, in an initiative called Manchester Carbon Literate City.
MCLC brings together people who live, work and study in Manchester, and organisations based in Manchester, to become Carbon Literate and collaborate in developing a city-wide low-carbon culture, empowering every community member to take their best action and help Manchester become a fairer, more resilient and more connected Carbon Literate City.
With a target equivalent to 15% of the resident population of the city (some 82,000 citizens) becoming Carbon Literate by 2027, over 15,000 people in Manchester are already certified, but local communities, and especially people marginalised, disadvantaged or underrepresented elsewhere, are vital contributors to MCLC.
The Manchester Carbon Literate City Community Fund has been developed to improve access to Carbon Literacy® training for those who might otherwise struggle to afford access to training and this accreditation. Carbon Literacy training is a proven and reliable tool for delivering action to cut carbon emissions, improving the health and prosperity of our communities, and delivering a host of co-benefits in the process.
What is on offer?
Get support from the Manchester Carbon Literate City – Community Fund
This round of funding is supported by Patagonia, Manchester City Council and the Carbon Literacy Community Fund.
This opportunity provides a one-off allocation of up to £3000 in funded work and services to the Recipient Group’s Carbon Literacy account. These credits can be used for the following services offered by The Carbon Literacy Project:
- Carbon Literacy course accreditation
- Individual certificate applications
- Access to free or paid-for sectoral materials that are relevant to and accredited for the Recipient Community Group
In addition, recipients can also benefit from:
- Free access to our Delivering Successful Carbon Literacy workshop for participants who wish to become certified facilitators
- Carbon Literacy Facilitator (CLF) accreditation for relevant individuals
- Onboarding and a dedicated account manager to support your community initiative
- Assistance with communications and social media to amplify your work
This round of funding has a total of £15,000 in funded credits available.
These funds are made possible through generous grants received from Patagonia and Manchester City Council, and from contributions from organisations that have paid enhanced rates for Carbon Literacy Certificate Applications.
This round of funding explicitly aims to support community groups in Manchester to participate and 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 do not themselves meet 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.
If your community initiative isn’t based in Manchester – don’t despair! Our Community Fund has regular funding rounds to support different community audiences and locations, in the UK and beyond, and there are many other funders for whom your interest in embedding Carbon Literacy in your community initiative will make it even more attractive.
And…. we are working with a number of other locations in the UK and beyond that wish to establish their own Carbon Literate Localities initiatives, so watch this space!
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, watch our Q&A webinar recording.
If you have any further questions, 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