Grants of up to £20,000 available for projects to improve transport and energy sustainability in St Albans District
Grants of between £2,000 and £20,000 are available for sustainability projects in St Albans District linked to transport and energy improvements.
Community groups, not-for-profit organisations and small to medium sized enterprises can apply to St Albans Greener Together’s Net Zero Fund.
The aim is to deliver innovative projects that have a positive impact on the community and the potential to be long lasting.
One priority is to support projects that will reduce energy use at homes, schools, community buildings and businesses.
For example, initiatives may include work with landlords to improve the energy efficiency of buildings or raising awareness among homeowners of retrofit options and low carbon energy sources.
Another priority is improvement to transport to reduce emissions, increase use of electric vehicles and encourage active travel.
Examples of the type of project the Net Zero Fund is looking to help are bike hire schemes or the decarbonisation of business vehicle fleets.
The Net Zero Fund is now open for applications until the deadline of Wednesday 30 October with decisions scheduled to be made within six weeks of the closing date.
Suzanne Jones, the Council’s Strategic Director for Customer, Business and Corporate Support, said:
We are committed to enhancing the District and tackling climate change by reducing harmful emissions.
The Greener Together network is one of the many actions we have taken to achieve this goal with its Net Zero Fund being created to help finance projects that can make a difference.
We are particularly interested in projects that can impact energy and transport, but will also consider other initiatives centred on sustainability, recycling and conserving precious resources.
I urge residents, community groups and businesses who have a project in mind to make an application if they are in need of financial backing.
An event to provide more information about the Net Zero Fund is being held online on Tuesday 1 October from 7pm to 9pm. You can register an interest and book a place here while the application criteria and guidance is available here.
More information can also be found on the Greener Together webpage here or you can contact the team at greenertogether@stalbans.gov.uk
St Albans Greener Together was launched earlier this year and is a network of individuals and organisations working to create a more sustainable and healthier District.
The project is a collaboration between St Albans City and District Council and the University of Hertfordshire.
It is funded by Innovate UK, the Government’s innovation agency which supports the creation of new services and products.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.