A total of £31,000 has been granted to 4 organisations in the borough to boost community‑led efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
Ealing Council’s community climate grants programme aims to help local organisations contribute to the borough’s net zero target by 2030 through making energy efficiency improvements, leading to lower carbon emissions.
Improvements can be as simple as adding double glazing or LED lighting for increased efficiency, or as ambitious as installing solar panels.
The groups to receive funding this year are:
Since receiving the funding, West Acton Community Centre has installed double glazed windows on the building, which it says has made a ‘significant difference to the small classroom used for meetings and educational events. The room is now free from draughts, creating a far more comfortable environment for everyone who uses it’. It has also resulted in savings on the electricity costs.
‘A full-borough effort’
The council has funded 19 energy-efficiency community projects, by offering £165,000 worth of community climate grants since 2023.
Though match funding is not necessary to be applicable for the grants, 16 of the 19 organisations that received them contributed total match funding £113,766 to take their efforts further.
Councillor Paul Driscoll, the council’s cabinet member for climate action, said: “Creating greener spaces and reducing bills is a vital aspect of supporting communities in decarbonising. We believe that communities are best suited to say what action works for them, and it must be a full-borough effort if we are to reach net zero by 2030. We’re excited to be able to offer these grants as we strive to hit this goal.”
Fund your ideas
Are you part of a local group or organisation with ideas of how to improve your energy efficiency? Ealing Council plans to give further opportunities for organisations to bid for up to £10,000 funding as part of the community climate grants scheme later this year. Visit the council’s website for more updates.
You don’t have to be part of an organisation to get involved in climate projects. You can find climate-focused volunteering opportunities in the borough on the council’s website.
