2020-2021 SHIRE Environment Grant Program (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 30-Oct-20

The Leicestershire County Council is accepting applications for the 2020-2021 SHIRE Environment Grant Program to improve the local environment through waste prevention and reuse to minimise the amount of thrown away, reducing carbon and improving biodiversity.

The Council is keen to support projects that can maintain or build on some of the positive environmental benefits that have arisen from the current Covid 19 situation, such as; reduced carbon emissions, increased biodiversity, improved air quality, a greater appreciation of nature and green spaces etc.

Such projects could help support the Council in providing a ‘green recovery’ from Covid 19.

Outcomes

The primary outcomes they are seeking to achieve through the SHIRE Environment Grant are:

To reduce the amount of household waste produced in Leicestershire. Projects must follow the waste hierarchy (Reduce, reuse, recycle). This could be achieved through various waste activities such as engaging communities in recycling, food waste reduction and composting as well as reuse activities which encourage resourcefulness through repairing, refurbishing, repurposing, sharing and swapping. Please be aware that they cannot fund litter picks as a standalone activity as they do not meet the primary outcome of reducing household waste.
To reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions within communities. This could be achieved by increasing the efficiency of community buildings, encouraging 2 resource efficiency as well as low carbon and energy projects and projects that reduce emissions from travel and transport.
To improve biodiversity and support the creation, protection, enhancement and management of sustainable green spaces. Projects can support important specific species such as types of mammal, birds, plants, fish, reptiles, insects and amphibians and/or improve and support habitats such as ponds, woodlands, grasslands and hedgerows.
To raise awareness and understanding of the above outcomes as well as providing the necessary training and skills to manage and support projects. These projects should enable residents and communities to utilise their training to support permanent changes in individual behaviours within their community.
While all projects must meet at least one primary outcome, they appreciate that some projects will have additional secondary benefits such as improved health and wellbeing, reducing litter, improving community cohesion etc. These secondary benefits, where they exist, should be highlighted in the application form.

Funding Information

In order to help eligible community-based organisations achieve this, the Council is offering up to £3,000 in the form of SHIRE Environment Grants.

Application Process

In your application, you will be required to include the following details:
- An outline of the project – what you intend to do;
- The outcomes your project is expected to achieve – what will have changed;
- An explanation of how you meet the primary outcomes of the SHIRE Environment Grant;
- Details of any secondary benefits of the project;
- Estimated/proposed timescales for the implementation of the project;
- A detailed breakdown of project costs and match funding;
- The level of funding required to carry out the project and details of how the additional 25% match funding will be secured.
Where relevant, all necessary consents, permissions and approvals should have been obtained for any work proposed prior to funding being awarded;
Once you have completed the application, please send it with supporting documents to the contact details. Please do not hesitate to contact their team if you have any queries you wish to discuss;
Paper copies of the Environment Grant application form are available upon request by contacting the SHIRE Environment Grant Team.