- Community Garden Supplies - cultivating skills, capacity and community:
A community garden is not just a green space; it can be a hub for learning, collaboration, and sustainable living. Applying for funding to acquire, for example, tools or publicity materials can empower groups, organisations, and communities to establish and maintain thriving community gardens. Rachel, who has reviewed numerous funding applications, commends the projects that aim to build skills and capacity while fostering a sense of community among participants.
Practical Tip: Ensure your funding proposal includes a plan for how the community garden will enhance skills, promote education, improve wellbeing, and provide a welcoming space for residents to connect with nature.
- Bits and Bobs for Retrofitting, Advertising, and Training:
Retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency, creating impactful marketing campaigns, and providing training programs are all projects that can contribute to a sustainable future. By seeking funding for essential resources such as materials, tools, publicity, education and training, you can lead the way in promoting environmental consciousness and empowering individuals and organisations to adopt sustainable practices.
Practical Tip: Clearly outline the specific resources and activities that the funding will support, emphasizing their environmental impact and the potential for long-term sustainability.
- Active Travel - signage and publicity for sustainable transport and mobility:
Encouraging active travel, such as walking and cycling, not only promotes healthier lifestyles but also reduces carbon emissions. By seeking funding for projects to support active travel, for example, signage, tools, equipment and publicity materials, you can raise awareness about the benefits of active travel and encourage more individuals to embrace sustainable modes of transportation.
Practical Tip: Highlight the anticipated increase in active travel and its positive effects on community health, air quality, and traffic congestion to make a compelling case for funding support.
- Swap Shops, Food Pantries - nourishing communities:
Food pantries play a vital role in addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations. Seeking funding for food supplies, storage equipment, and distribution systems etc. can help ensure that everyone has access to nutritious meals. Rachel emphasizes the significance of projects that prioritise inclusivity and work towards reducing food waste.
Practical Tip: Describe the local impact of your food pantry project, including the number of individuals it aims to support, partnerships with local food producers, how it will help to reduce food waste and plans for engaging volunteers in its operation.
- Adaptation - embracing sustainability through reusing and recycling:
Incorporating sustainable practices into everyday life is crucial for building a resilient future. Funding applications that focus on initiatives to promote reuse, recycle, and upcycling demonstrate a commitment to minimise waste and preserve resources. Rachel encourages applicants to showcase creative and innovative solutions that encourage sustainable behaviours.
Practical Tip: Outline the specific strategies and mechanisms your project will employ to promote reuse, recycling, and upcycling, and emphasise the environmental benefits and long-term sustainability of these practices.
- Awareness Raising - building skills and capacity for sustainable change:
Raising awareness about environmental issues and fostering a culture of sustainability is a transformative endeavour. By seeking funding for educational materials, workshops, and community engagement initiatives, you can empower individuals and organisations to become advocates for positive change.
Practical Tip: Clearly articulate the goals and objectives of your awareness-raising project, emphasizing how it will enhance skills, build capacity, and create a ripple effect of sustainable practices
Visit our Seed Funding webpage for full details: https://www.nescan.org/seed-funding
We encourage you to email our funding adviser to discuss your ideas at rachel@nescan.org
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Key Features of the Seed Funding Program:
- Financial Support: Successful applicants will receive seed funding grants of up to £1000 to kick-start their projects. This funding can be used for various project-related expenses, such as materials, equipment, marketing, training, events and more.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be members of NESCAN (join free) and have an income of less than £50,000. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact rachel@nescan.org to discuss.
- Funding support: If your group isn’t eligible for Seed Funding, or you need a larger grant to support your project, Rachel may be able to help you search for and apply to other funders.
- Publicity: Alongside the financial support, NESCAN Hub will display information about your project on our website, to help inspire other groups and help to attract new volunteers.
- Mentorship and Guidance: NESCAN Hub will offer guidance and support throughout the project's development. Our network of members may also have similar projects you can learn from.
- Networking Opportunities: By participating in the Seed Funding program, you will be part of a vibrant community of like-minded individuals, all working towards positive change. NESCAN Hub will publicise learning events and collaboration opportunities to facilitate connections and foster a supportive climate action ecosystem.
Eligibility Criteria:
Projects should align with our organisation's values and aims and contribute to the creation of sustainable communities.
Application Process:
Visit our website at https://www.nescan.org/seed-funding to access the Seed Funding application form.
Carefully review the guidelines and eligibility criteria before submitting your application. We would encourage you to contact Rachel@nescan.org to discuss your ideas before submitting your application.
Complete the online application form, providing detailed information about your project, including its objectives, implementation plan, and anticipated impact.
Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first served basis.
Together, we can nurture and empower the innovative ideas that will shape a brighter future for our community. Let's plant the seeds of change!
