COMMUNITY groups and young people in Bolton are being encouraged to apply for a share of £50,000 for projects to reduce the impact of climate change.
The cash has been made available by Bolton’s Fund to finance community projects aimed at making local neighbourhoods greener.
Successful projects will aim to reduce the borough’s carbon footprint and support the borough’s emerging climate change strategy.
Opportunities could include improving access to public transport or cycling, local growing schemes or ways to reduce energy dependency.
Depending on the size of the projects, community organisations can bid for up to £1,500 or up to £5,000.
As part of the fund, £5,000 will be earmarked for applications submitted by young people aged between 13 and 21 involved with community groups or eco councils.
Designed with local Youth MPs and the Youth Council, this part of the programme launches later this month and will see participants pitch for up to £500 to fund their youth-lead projects.
Young people will also be involved in the decision-making process. Louise Warburton, a member of Bolton Youth Voice and GMYCA ambassador, said: “The climate debate is important to young people because we want to reach our full potential in a safe and sustainable world.
“We can’t do that without taking action now. I would encourage young people to apply for this funding to make a difference in Bolton.”
Jon Lord, group chief executive of Bolton at Home, added: “Bolton’s Fund is about us working with the community to improve our local neighbourhoods and our climate fund will help support projects to make our area more environmentally friendly.
“It is exciting that we are also able to ringfence some funding for applications specifically from young people.
“Not only are they the generation who will inherit this world as time goes on, but it can also help them see that they can make a real difference to improve the world they live in.”
Bolton’s Fund is a voluntary sector grants programme delivered by Bolton Council, NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, Bolton at Home and Bolton CVS.
All Bolton’s Fund grant decisions are made by a panel of independent volunteer assessors from across the community.
For more information and to apply, visit the Bolton CVS website: https://www.boltoncvs.org.uk/boltons-fund-0