Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Community Climate Fund provides financial support to voluntary, community, and not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that reduce carbon emissions and strengthen climate resilience across Horsham District. The fund offers grants of up to £1,000 through the Grassroots Grant scheme and up to £5,000 through the Small Grant scheme, supporting community-led environmental initiatives that contribute to the district’s net zero and sustainability goals.
About the Community Climate Fund
The Community Climate Fund has been established to help local organisations develop and deliver practical projects that tackle climate change while creating positive environmental and social outcomes for residents of Horsham District.
The fund supports community-led initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve environmental sustainability, strengthen climate resilience, and encourage more sustainable lifestyles. By investing in local projects, the programme seeks to empower communities to play an active role in achieving climate objectives while improving the quality of life for local residents.
The fund also aims to strengthen collaboration between community organisations and local government, ensuring that environmental action is driven by local needs and community participation.
Through targeted grant support, the programme encourages innovative solutions that help communities reduce their environmental impact, adapt to climate-related challenges, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Fund Objectives
The Community Climate Fund aims to:
- Reduce carbon emissions across Horsham District
- Support local climate action initiatives
- Improve community resilience to climate change
- Encourage sustainable resource use
- Promote renewable energy adoption
- Reduce energy consumption
- Support biodiversity conservation
- Encourage sustainable transport options
- Minimise waste generation
- Increase community awareness of environmental issues
- Support vulnerable communities affected by climate change
- Contribute to the district’s net zero ambitions
Projects should demonstrate clear environmental benefits while also providing value to local communities.
Funding Available
The Community Climate Fund offers two separate grant schemes designed to support projects of different sizes.
Grassroots Grants
Grassroots Grants provide funding of up to:
- £1,000 per project
These grants are intended for smaller community initiatives that can deliver measurable environmental benefits with relatively modest financial support.
Small Grants
Small Grants provide funding of up to:
- £5,000 per project
These grants are designed for larger community projects that require additional resources to deliver significant environmental outcomes.
Funding for Larger Projects
Projects with total costs between £5,000 and £10,000 may receive funding for up to:
- 50% of total project costs
For projects exceeding £10,000, applicants must clearly demonstrate how the remaining project costs will be funded through:
- Match funding
- Fundraising activities
- Other grant programmes
- Sponsorship
- Organisational contributions
- Community support
Applicants should provide evidence of financial planning and project sustainability.
Priority Funding Areas
Projects must contribute to one or more of the fund’s climate and environmental priorities.
Carbon Emission Reduction
The fund supports projects that directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Examples include:
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Community energy projects
- Low-carbon technologies
- Carbon reduction campaigns
- Sustainable infrastructure initiatives
Projects should demonstrate measurable reductions in emissions where possible.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Reducing energy consumption and increasing the use of renewable energy are key funding priorities.
Eligible activities may include:
- Energy-saving improvements
- Solar energy projects
- Renewable heating systems
- Community energy schemes
- Building efficiency upgrades
- Energy awareness programmes
Projects should help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower overall energy use.
Water Conservation and Flood Resilience
Climate change is increasing pressure on water resources and flood management systems.
The fund supports initiatives that:
- Reduce water consumption
- Improve water efficiency
- Increase flood resilience
- Promote sustainable drainage solutions
- Improve local water management
- Enhance community preparedness for flooding
Projects should contribute to long-term environmental resilience.
Waste Reduction and Circular Economy Initiatives
Reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency are important priorities.
Examples include:
- Recycling programmes
- Reuse initiatives
- Community repair projects
- Waste reduction campaigns
- Circular economy projects
- Resource-sharing initiatives
Projects should demonstrate how waste will be prevented, reused, or diverted from landfill.
Biodiversity and Wildlife Enhancement
The fund supports projects that protect and improve local ecosystems.
Eligible activities may include:
- Habitat restoration
- Native planting projects
- Wildlife conservation initiatives
- Pollinator-friendly projects
- Community biodiversity programmes
- Nature recovery initiatives
Projects should contribute to healthier ecosystems and increased biodiversity across Horsham District.
Sustainable Transport
Transport-related emissions remain a major contributor to climate change.
The fund encourages projects that promote:
- Walking
- Cycling
- Public transport use
- Shared transport solutions
- Active travel initiatives
- Reduced car dependency
- Travel demand reduction measures
Projects should encourage more sustainable transportation choices within local communities.
Who Can Apply?
The Community Climate Fund is open to community-based organisations that serve residents of Horsham District.
Eligible applicants include:
- Voluntary organisations
- Community groups
- Charitable organisations
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Community associations
- Environmental groups
- Community interest organisations
Applicants must demonstrate that their activities primarily benefit Horsham District residents.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for funding, applicants must:
- Be based in Horsham District or primarily benefit district residents
- Operate on a voluntary, community, or not-for-profit basis
- Be properly constituted
- Maintain a bank account in the organisation’s name
- Deliver inclusive and accessible activities
- Propose a new project or initiative
- Complete the project within 12 months
- Demonstrate environmental benefits
- Show community need and support
Projects should be practical, achievable, and aligned with the fund’s objectives.
Project Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed against several key criteria.
Financial Need
Applicants must demonstrate why grant support is necessary and explain why the project could not proceed without assistance.
Community Demand and Support
Strong applications should show evidence that the project addresses a genuine community need and has local support.
Examples include:
- Community consultations
- Letters of support
- Volunteer involvement
- Partnership arrangements
Environmental Impact
Projects should provide measurable environmental benefits such as:
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Energy savings
- Increased biodiversity
- Reduced waste generation
- Improved climate resilience
Clear outcomes and performance indicators can strengthen an application.
Social Benefits
Projects are expected to provide wider community benefits alongside environmental improvements.
Examples include:
- Community engagement
- Skills development
- Volunteer opportunities
- Health and wellbeing benefits
- Social inclusion
- Increased awareness of sustainability
Financial Viability
Applicants should demonstrate that projects are financially realistic and capable of being completed successfully.
Strong applications include:
- Accurate budgets
- Realistic cost estimates
- Evidence of match funding where required
- Long-term sustainability plans
Why This Fund Matters
Communities play a vital role in tackling climate change and building resilience to environmental challenges. However, many local organisations lack the resources needed to develop and implement impactful sustainability projects.
The Community Climate Fund helps bridge this gap by providing practical financial support that enables community organisations to take meaningful climate action.
The fund contributes to:
- Reduced local carbon emissions
- Stronger climate resilience
- Improved environmental awareness
- Increased biodiversity
- Sustainable resource management
- Healthier communities
- Enhanced community participation
- Progress toward net zero targets
By supporting grassroots environmental initiatives, the programme helps create long-term benefits for both people and the environment.
Ineligible Projects and Activities
The Community Climate Fund does not support:
- Core organisational operating costs
- Loan repayments
- Individual applicants
- Profit-making businesses
- Retrospective funding requests
- Projects that have already started
- Completed projects
- Organisations with more than 12 months of unrestricted reserves
- Projects lacking medium-term sustainability
- Activities unrelated to carbon reduction or climate resilience
Applicants should carefully review these restrictions before preparing an application.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Review the fund requirements to ensure your organisation and project meet all eligibility criteria.
Step 2: Identify a Climate Challenge
Clearly define the environmental issue your project aims to address and explain its relevance to Horsham District.
Step 3: Develop a Project Plan
Prepare a detailed description of activities, timelines, objectives, beneficiaries, and expected outcomes.
Step 4: Prepare a Budget
Create a realistic budget outlining project costs and any additional funding sources.
Step 5: Demonstrate Community Support
Provide evidence that the project is supported by local residents, stakeholders, or partner organisations.
Step 6: Measure Environmental Impact
Identify how you will monitor and demonstrate carbon reduction, biodiversity improvements, waste reduction, or other environmental outcomes.
Step 7: Submit the Application
Complete all required documentation and submit the application before the deadline.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their chances of success by:
- Demonstrating measurable environmental outcomes
- Showing strong community involvement
- Providing evidence of local demand
- Including realistic budgets
- Demonstrating long-term sustainability
- Aligning closely with fund priorities
- Identifying clear climate benefits
- Showing how vulnerable residents may benefit
- Providing evidence of partnerships and collaboration
Projects that combine environmental and community benefits are often highly competitive.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common application weaknesses include:
- Lack of measurable outcomes
- Weak evidence of community need
- Unrealistic project budgets
- Insufficient environmental impact
- Applying for existing operational costs
- Proposing projects that have already started
- Failing to demonstrate sustainability
- Missing eligibility requirements
- Inadequate financial planning
Careful planning and strong evidence can significantly improve application quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Community Climate Fund?
The Community Climate Fund is a grant programme that supports community-led projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving climate resilience across Horsham District.
How much funding is available?
Grassroots Grants provide up to £1,000, while Small Grants provide up to £5,000 per project.
Who can apply?
Voluntary, community, charitable, and not-for-profit organisations that are based in Horsham District or primarily benefit district residents may apply.
What types of projects are supported?
Projects related to carbon reduction, renewable energy, biodiversity, sustainable transport, water conservation, flood resilience, and waste reduction are eligible.
Can projects receive funding for more than 50% of costs?
Projects costing between £5,000 and £10,000 may receive up to 50% of total project costs. Larger projects must demonstrate how remaining costs will be funded.
Can organisations apply for core operating costs?
No. Core organisational costs and routine operating expenses are not eligible for funding.
How long do projects have to be completed?
Funded projects should generally be completed within 12 months.
Conclusion
The Community Climate Fund provides valuable financial support for community organisations working to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen environmental sustainability, and build climate resilience throughout Horsham District. Through its Grassroots and Small Grant schemes, the fund empowers local groups to develop innovative solutions that contribute to the district’s net zero ambitions while delivering meaningful social and environmental benefits.
Community organisations with strong climate-focused projects, measurable environmental outcomes, and demonstrated local support should consider applying. Projects that align with the fund’s priority areas and create lasting community impact will be well positioned for funding success.
For more information, visit Horsham District Council.