Cheltenham Zero community fund
In 2019, Cheltenham Borough Council declared a climate emergency and a commitment to be a carbon neutral council and borough by 2030. The goal of a carbon neutral borough will be met by delivering activity which supports and promotes the town’s core vision to be a place where everyone thrives.
Our roadmap to eliminate the borough carbon footprint includes a climate action fund to help finance the road to zero carbon. In 2022 the borough council has a pot of funding, worth £50,000, to allocate to local community organisations to support them with energy efficiency projects.
Who can apply?
- Community or voluntary groups
- Registered charities
- Community interest companies
- Town and parish councils
How much can be applied for?
Any group may apply for a single award up to a maximum of £10,000. Please be aware that as there is only £50,000 available in total, the council will look to fund only those projects that offer the best value for money and applications which evidence match funding will be viewed favourably.
The fund cannot support...
- Projects which do not improve energy efficiency
- Projects where impact/change can’t be measured
- Projects that are not directly related to the climate emergency agenda
- Projects being delivered outside the boundaries of Cheltenham borough.
- Projects that cannot demonstrate that the necessary permissions will be achieved within the appropriate timescales
- Applicants who are not signed up to the Cheltenham Zero partnership
How to apply
Please read the full application guidelines before making your application.
For more information and guidance, please email climate@cheltenham.gov.uk.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 3 July at 5pm.
Apply to the Cheltenham Zero community fund
Cheltenham Zero commuity fund application guidelines
Who can apply? - Further details
To be eligible to apply for this fund applicants must have first signed up to the Cheltenham Zero partnership.
Once a member of the partnership any parish council, constituted voluntary sector, community or neighbourhood-based organisation can apply.
How much can be applied for? - Further details
Any group may apply for a single award up to a maximum of £10,000. Please be aware that as there is only £50,000 available in total, the council will look to fund only those projects that offer the best value for money.
Applications which evidence match funding will be viewed favourably. Match-funding or contributions in-kind are defined as non-cash contributions to a project. These are typically donated goods and services, which are necessary for the project and would otherwise have to be purchased for the project to go ahead.
We recognise that for many community organisations, there will be the need to organise fund-raising activities. Consequently the award will be held open for 12 months from the panel decision to allow for any other funds to be secured if necessary.
Implementing projects
The applicant organisation will be responsible for the project management and delivery of the successful schemes. Consequently the council will be looking for applications that demonstrate clarity of both planning and delivery of the projects with an understanding of what permissions will be required to see the successful implementation of the project.
What we will fund
Projects which focus on energy efficiency and create a lasting legacy for the local community.
We will only fund time-limited projects that can be delivered within 12 months from the project start date.
Applications must be accompanied by evidence that the applicant will secure the necessary permissions to enable the work to proceed.
What we won’t fund
- Projects which do not improve energy efficiency
- Projects where impact / change can’t be measured
- Projects that are not directly related to the climate emergency agenda
- Projects being delivered outside the boundaries of Cheltenham borough
- Projects that cannot demonstrate that the necessary permissions will be achieved within the appropriate timescales
- Applicants who are not signed up to the Cheltenham Zero Partnership
The assessment criteria
After the closing date in July, a Cheltenham Zero community fund panel will assess all submitted applications. They will consider the information you supply on the proposals form to assess the following:
- The project’s contribution to our carbon neutral aims and the climate emergency agenda
- The project’s energy efficiency value.
- The project’s value for money in terms of its environmental benefits versus the amount of grant requested
- That the project will meet an identifiable need or build on an opportunity
- What will the project achieve
- What the longer-term legacy of this project will be
We will be looking for reassurances that the applicant has thought about all the different types of licences and permissions that might be required to deliver the project.
We are also looking for assurances that the project deliverer will put in place a robust system for collecting, monitoring and assessing the impacts of the project and for reporting and sharing this information.
Where projects involve working with children and young people, we will also ask you about what measures you have in place to safeguard their wellbeing.
Groups will need to have current and relevant liability insurance in place before any agreement can be signed and you will be expected to provide copies to prove this. Applicants will be held liable for any damage caused to public property and the council will not accept any liability for claims for damage, loss or injury resulting from this work.
The intention is that recommendations from the panel are discussed by cabinet and final decisions will be communicated to bidders shortly after the meeting.
How to apply for a grant
Can an organisation make more than one grant application?
No more than one grant will be awarded to any one organisation.
Making an application
Please complete all pages of the application form. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
We want to encourage applicants to complete their applications on a computer as hand written applications can be difficult to read. If you require any help with completing the application forms please let us know as soon as possible and we will provide assistance.
Your grant application should also be accompanied by a copy of your last annual accounts (audited where this is a requirement for your organisation) and a copy of your constitution.
Agreements and performance management
Before the project can start, the council will enter into a project agreement with the provider which will set out various obligations on the two parties. This is very important as the way in which the money is used will be subject to inspection and audit and your monitoring plans will help us ensure that your project is progressing along the right tracks.
Grant payments
For successful applicants, payments will generally be made in arrears on receipt of a completed performance management report and claim form. However, we can arrange advance payments to help with cash flow but this will be subject to checks and you will be liable to repay this if your project does not make satisfactory progress.
Other considerations
Please be aware that as this is public money, the funding will be subject to inspection and audit. Any fraudulent activity will be quickly identified and reported to the police.
Completed Cheltenham Zero community fund applications must be returned no later than 5pm on Sunday 3 July 2022.