| |
|
BULLETIN
BOARD
Here
members display short items of news, information or opinion. Members wishing
to use this page, which will be updated regularly, should
contact
the GreenWeb Coordinator.
GreenWeb
exercises editorial control to exclude irrelevant or offensive
material and reserves the right to select and shorten submitted
material.
Daily environment and
wildlife news from further afield is available from
Habitat,
The
Guardian, and
The Times. We
also recommend Cynnal Cymru-Sustain Wales' monthly on-line
newsletter
GloballySusDCymru
and
Transition Culture.
|
|
News
Jobs
Grants |
|
|
|
|
|
Planning for Sustainable
Rural Communities
Planning guidance that will boost the rural economy and
increase the provision of affordable housing has been launched by
Environment Minister, Jane Davidson.
Technical Advice Note 6 makes it easier for businesses to
set up and grow in rural areas, and for farmers to build a new home on
their land so that they can pass on their business to a younger
person. 'One Planet' sustainable low impact developments are
also supported.Added 21 Jul 10
|
|
Towards Zero Waste
We omitted to bring news of WAG's new waste strategy,
published in June. Launching the document, Ministers focused on
the need to get people to consume and throw away less - 90% of
everything we buy has become waste within a month. Follow the
links from
here and note the related consultation on
the Municipal Sector that encourages local
authorities to offer food waste collections to more households and
investigate ways of rewarding householders for reducing their waste.
The consultation closes on 13 Sept 2010.
Added 20 Jul 10 |
|
Bag Charges Consultation
See the extended information from WCVA
under 6 Jun below. WAG's consultation deadline is 2
August 2010.
Added 20 Jul 10 |
|
Get Ready for Winter
The Energy Saving Trust is promoting
energy-saving home improvements by inviting residents of Wales to email
'insulate me' in the subject line, along with their name, address and
phone number to
advicewales@est.org.uk by 31 August 2010 to enter a draw with
a £250 prize towards loft insulation or cavity wall insulation.
Conditions apply. The Trust's grants and discount database is at
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants.
WAG has launched its new fuel poverty
strategy, with the ambitious target of eradicating fuel poverty by 2018.
The new Fuel Poverty Scheme replaces the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme,
targeting the most inefficient properties and the most vulnerable
households.
Added 18 Jul 10, 28 Jul 10 |
New Planning Policy for
RE
Environment Minister, Jane Davidson has announced
plans to revise Welsh planning policy so that it supports the Assembly
Government’s aspirations for renewable energy. The
consultation closes on 8 October 2010 and the proposals
include:
- Identifying different scales of renewable energy
development for planning policy purposes
- New considerations for Local Planning Authorities
in preparing their Local Development Plan, which include targets for
the delivery of renewable energy, and the allocation of suggested
sites for difference scales of renewable energy developments.
- New criteria for Local Planning Authorities in
taking decisions on renewable energy development.
Added 17 Jul 10 |
|
New Building Standards
Planned
New building regulations powers that transfer to Wales
on 31 December 2011 will enable the Assembly Government to set standards
that are more sustainable but affordable. After considering a
range of options from current standards to a 70% improvement Welsh
Ministers have concluded that a reduction in carbon (CO2 equivalent)
emissions of 55% compared to 2006 achieves that balance and will be the
goal for the first changes, which they expect to be take effect from
2013. The Assembly Government expects to consult on detailed proposals
during 2012 for implementation in 2013.
Added 17 Jul 10 |
|
Levels Cleared of Weed
After a 12 year fight a partnership including CCW has
cleared the reens of the Gwent Levels of invasive Floating Pennywort, an
American invader.
Added 17 Jul 10 |
|
New Law on Allotments?
Assembly Members have recommended
legislation forcing local authorities to respond to requests for more
allotments if the National Assembly gets law-making powers. The
Assembly report is
here. The
call for more allotments, sometimes smaller than the usual 250 sq m, and
community gardens has recently grown considerably in Monmouthshire,
often with local authority co-operation. WAG has just announced
its
Dig4Life action plan encouraging people to grow their own food.
Added 17 Jul 10 |
|
WAG to Merge CCW, EA and
FC?
The Welsh Assembly Government has denied
that its merger review of the Countryside Council for Wales and the
Welsh arms of the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission will
put the environment of Wales at risk. The move, which is clearly
related to likely spending cuts and supported by all the main political
parties, has raised fears that the organisations will be brought within
WAG, echoing the much criticised loss of the WDA. The independence
of CCW and its willingness to take a different view to the EA has
been particularly valued by pressure groups.
Added 17 Jul 10 |
|
Walking Festival
The final programme for the Monmouthshire
Walking Festival (see 16 Jan below - 22 - 31 October 2010)
is now available
here.
Added 13 Jul 10 |
|
Missing Swifts
RSPB has partly blamed modern greener
home building and renovation methods for the massive decline in the
population of swifts, by not providing nesting sites. Increased
dangers on the birds' migration routes to and from Africa are also
likely to be responsible.
Added 9 Jul 10 |
|
The Future is Local
A Sustainable Development Commission
report says that empowering communities to lead local renewal
projects with an integrated neighbourhood-wide approach is the most
cost-effective way to deal with climate change and other needs and to
ensure our villages, towns and cities are fit for the future.
Added 9 Jul 10 |
|
Zero Gas Emissions by
2030?
A recent report,
ZerocarbonBritain2030,
by the Centre for Alternative Technology proposes a path to a 90%
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, contrasting with the UK
Government target of 80% by 2050.
Added 9 Jul 10 |
|
Local Development Plan -
Rural Allocations
The County Council is now consulting on a
report on rural housing allocations. It is available
here and comments are required by Friday, 30 July 2010.
Added 2 Jul 10 |
|
Office Furniture Available
Homemakers
has a large amount of affordable office desks and computer chairs and
other office furniture available. Save them from landfill.
Please contact Homemakers on 01873 857618.
Added 18 Jun 10 |
Changes in Lottery Fund Allocation
The new government
proposes to change the share of money allocated from the National
Lottery. Each of the arts, heritage and sport good causes would increase
to 20 per cent, with the Big Lottery Fund receiving the remaining 40 per
cent and focusing its support exclusively on the voluntary and community
sectors. Go direct to
www.culture.gov.uk/consultations/7070.aspx. Deadline for
comments is 21 August 2010.
Added 18 Jun 10 |
|
Permaculture and
Eco-skills Workshops
Contact
Michele Fitzsimmons for information about courses at the
Edible
Landscaping Garden or Coed Hills Rural Artspace in the Vale of
Glamorgan. Topics include permaculture, 'pick and cook', DIY solar
ovens and wind turbines, eco-building, knitting and other eco-skills.
Added 18 Jun 10 |
|
Cardiff Incinerator
Approved
Cardiff City Council has approved plans
for Viridor's waste to energy plant at Trident Park, Splott, potentially
strengthening the company's bid for the contract to take SE Wales'
non-recyclable waste - see 28 May below.
Added 16 Jun 10 |
|
LDP Renewable Energy Study
The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Study commissioned as part of the Monmouthshire Local Development Plan
process background studies is now available to view on the MCC web
site. Follow
this link to the report:
Added
16 Jun 10 |
|
Training in Species
Identification
SEWBReC, in association with Wales Biodiversity
Partnership, will be holding the following workshops in 2010: 24
July - Freshwater Species ID Training Day at Margam Country Park; 7
August - Bryophyte ID Training Day at Forest Farm, Cardiff; 22 August - Orthoptera ID Training Day at Kenfig NNR;
11 Sept - Coleoptera ID
Training Day at the National Museum Wales, Cardiff. Contact
info@sewbrec.org.uk
now as these courses will be
oversubscribed.
Added 15 Jun 10 |
|
Woodland Management
Roadshows
Llais y Goedwig, the grassroots network
of community woodland groups in Wales, is organising a series of events
across the country to help you manage your woodlands - mixing theory and
practice in community woodland management.
17 July 2010 - Troserch Woods near Llangennech, Swansea
24 July 2010 - Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, Dolforwyn woods
in Abermule
7 August 2010 - Moelyci near Tregarth, Bangor
11 September 2010 - Blaen Bran Community Woodland, Cwmbran
If you would like to come to one or more of these events then please
contact Zena or Deb on 01654 703366, email
info@llaisygoedwig.org.uk
or see the events page on our website: www.llaisygoedwig.org.uk.
Added 14 Jun 10 |
|
Updated Planning Policy on
Climate Change
WAG has issued a new version of
Planning Policy Wales that provides the strategic policy framework
for local planning authorities to use when preparing development plans
and determining applications for planning permission. It includes
all updates since 2002 and pays particular attention to the need to
tackle climate change.
Added 9 Jun 10 |
|
Supermarket Competition at
Abergavenny
A planning application for a 47,000 sq ft supermarket
at the former Coopers Filters site at Llanfoist, Abergavenny has in
effect challenged the more modest proposals by Morrisons for the County
Council's livestock market adjoining the town centre. Some will
favour the market site proposals, especially if they are an improvement
on the Asda proposals rejected in 2007, while others may prefer a
Llanfoist development if it will save the livestock market.
Added 9 Jun 10 |
|
Green Heroes
Cynnal Cymru - Sustain Wales has started its search
for 2010 Green Heroes, with a deadline for nominations of 17
September 2010. Click on the above GloballySusDCymru link to
read the newsletter.
Added 8 Jun 10 |
|
7p for a Plastic Bag?
Following a policy consultation last
year, the Welsh Assembly Government wants your views and comments on the
draft
Regulations and the costs and
benefits highlighted in the Regulatory Impact Assessment. The
consultation ends on 2 August 2010. WCVA
has summarised the proposals as follows:
·
- A 7p
minimum charge for all single use carrier bags – whether made of plastic
or paper.
·
-
Exemptions for certain types of bags used to carry unpackaged food or
pharmacy medicines.
·
-
A voluntary agreement with retailers to ensure that profits from the
charge are passed to environmental or community projects and good causes
they choose. The retailer is allowed to recover reasonable costs to
comply with regulations and communicate about the charge to staff and
customers.
·
- Breaches
to the agreement will be punishable by civil sanction; including, fixed
monetary penalties (linked to the size of the business) and
discretionary requirements set out by local administrators.·
·
- All
retailers that distribute less than 100 bags or have a turnover of more
than £68,000 will have to publish annual record of what they have done
with the charge.
WCVA is keen to get the views of its members and the
wider sector. Given the wide ranging issues considered in the proposals
they have condensed the main issues relevant to the sector in the
questions below.
WCVA Consultation on the Draft Single Use Carrier Bag Charge (Wales)
Regulations 2010
IIf you need any further clarification or would like
to discuss the proposals further please email
Michael Delahunty.
Added 6 Jun 10, extended 20 Jul 2010 |
|
Volunteer Awards
At last night's GAVO Monmouthshire
Volunteering Awards Annette Baker won the GreenWeb Environment
Award for an individual who has contributed to improving the
environment. Annette has played a leading role in the Monmouth
Links community routes project and Monmouth's Green Travel Days.
Runner-up was Norman Williams for his practical conservation work
in the Wye Valley AONB. Rights of Way Maintenance Volunteers
won the Tidy Towns (Tidy Local Communities) Award for environmental
group work. Other award winners included Graham Thomas for
his Monmouth Civic Society work on the town's blue plaques and Nelson
Garden, and to youngsters from Monmouth Comprehensive School
working on a sensory garden at the Bridges Centre.
Added 3 Jun 10 |
|
Prosiect Gwyrdd - Project
Green
Eight companies have been invited to bid
for the next stage of the £1 billion project to deal with the
non-recyclable municipal waste of SE Wales. The invitation is
'technology-neutral' and not site-specific, but it is likely that the
residual waste will be dealt with by either biological or heat
treatment, including controversial incineration or 'energy from waste'.
A shorter list will be drawn up by the autumn.
Added 28 May 10 |
|
Vetting & Barring
Scheme Guidance
The Home Office has published guidance to
assist employers and voluntary groups in implementing the Vetting &
Barring Scheme (working with children and vulnerable adults). This
document contains detailed information about what actions employers and
employees will be required to take under the scheme. It also
outlines what they should do in preparation for 26 July 2010,
when registration to the scheme is
to be phased in. This guidance will be
followed by a host of ‘sector-specific’ guidance documents which will
show how the Scheme will be applied in different areas of work and
volunteering activities. For more information, see
here.
Added 24 May 10 |
|
Sustrans Photo Competition
2010
marks the 15th anniversary of the National Cycle Network. As part of the
celebrations, Sustrans, along with
The Valleys
Heart and Soul
campaign, is inviting people to take part in a
photography and short film competition for the gorgeous South Wales
Valleys.
For more
information go to
www.thevalleys.co.uk/SightsCameraAction.
Added 24 May 10 |
|
Wales Green List 2010
Cynnal Cymru - Sustain Wales is launching
its Wales Green List 2010 and encouraging nominations of local
heroes who deserve recognition for addressing and improving social,
economic or environmental issues in their local communities.
Nominations can be made online at
www.sustainwales.com until 17 September 2010. A panel
comprising influential figures from business, media, the voluntary
sector, social enterprise and sustainable development will pick 52
inspirational people – one for every week of the year – to feature in
the Wales Green List 2010.
Added 19 May 10 |
|
Glastir
Rural Affairs Minister
Elin Jones has announced a shift in approach to land management schemes
in Wales. From 2012, the five existing agri-environment schemes will be
replaced by one scheme, Glastir. Glastir will play a vital role in
enabling the farming community to respond positively to the challenges
posed by climate change, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has said.
The Minister has announced a new, ambitions tree planting programme as
part of the targeted element of Glastir. Aimed at expanding the area of
woodland in Wales by 100,000 hectares over the next 20 years, farmers
would receive a capital grant to establish permanent woodland on lower
grade agricultural land, together with annual maintenance and income
foregone payments for up to 15 years after planting. The woodlands
created would become ‘carbon sinks’ and will complement the Assembly
Government’s Plant! scheme, a One Wales commitment to plant a tree for
every new baby and adopted child in Wales.
Added 16 May 10 |
|
WCVA Climate Change News
After holding a successful and well attended
green-themed Annual Conference in Llandudno recently, the Wales Council
for Voluntary Action has produced a conference CD showcasing the
presentations. To obtain your free copy please ring the Helpdesk on 0800
2888 329 or email
help@wcva.org.uk. This included a presentation by Phil
Powell of the Tintern Angidy Project.
WCVA's new training programme includes a course on Sustainable
Development for the first time. It is being run by Cynnal Cymru, the
independent, not-for-profit organisation that promotes sustainable
development and provides practical information to help people live
sustainably. The course description is available on the
training page of WCVA's website.
All types of
organisations and groups in the third
sector
are encouraged
to sign up to WCVA's climate change
declaration as a way of making a public declaration
about their commitment to tackling climate change
- both through their internal practices and
the work they do with people and communities
across Wales. The declaration can be found on
WCVA's climate change
web page,
alongside some useful 'where to go for help
guidance' listing sources of help and support for taking action on
climate change. WCVA has also signed up to the Guardian's 10:10
campaign.
Added 16 May 10 |
|
Wanted - Your Opinions
The Climate Change
Champions for Wales have created a Facebook Group called ‘Our Future,
Our Voice’. This group aims to encourage young people in Wales to
tell the Climate Change Champions what they think about climate change.
The Welsh Assembly Government has set up the Climate Change Commission
for Wales to bring together people from a wide range of
organisations including political, business, local authority, trade and
others. At least one Climate Change Champion will attend every meeting,
and present your views from the Facebook group on behalf of all
young people in Wales. The current question up for debate is:
‘Is it easier to lower our carbon footprint radically or adapt
to living with more extreme weather conditions?’ Further
details are available from Hayley James, tel 029 2082 1762, email
hayley.james@wales.gsi.gov.uk.
Added 15 May 10 |
|
Another Award for Grass
Routes
Monmouthshire's demand-responsive Grass
Routes bus service has now achieved second place in the UK Best Rural
Transport Award - and founder driver Trevor Phillips has won the title
UK Community Transport Volunteer of the Year.
Added 7 May 10 |
Monmouth Links Project Makes Progress
Planning applications for the Monmouth Links Walking and Cycling
routes are now live and available on
www.UKPlanning.com. The relevant numbers are DC/2010/00079 and
DC/2010/00145. You may leave your comments on the website or write to
Monmouthshire County Council Planning Department, County Hall,
Cwmbran.
The project is hoping for support for
these applications. Money has been made available by WAG for
this financial year to start work on some of the route.
Later in the year they will be asking for ideas regarding a Connect2
bench which will be sited along the route and will mark the Big
Lottery win which Sustrans - and many people across the UK - fought so
hard to obtain. They will also be holding our third Green Travel
Day on Saturday 25 September 2010. Contact
annettebaker109@aol.com
for more information.
Added 22 Apr 10 |
|
MCC School Wins Award
The new Rogiet Primary School has won a
BREEAM Award as the most sustainable new school in the UK, with an
'excellent' rating.
Added 19 Apr 10 |
|
National Transport Plan
Wales' first five-year
transport plan has been published. It retains the earlier
proposal to drop the M4 relief road south of Newport but rejects the
view of the Sustainable Transport Alliance that there is still too much
emphasis on roads, which they claim consume about half of the Assembly
Government's transport budget. WAG has also announced its 2010/11
Regional Transport Plan funding, including £9.152m for the South East
Wales Transport Alliance, part of which will go to walking and cycling
schemes at Monmouth. Chepstow recently received a separate
allocation of over £1m for its safe community routes.
Added 31 Mar 10 |
|
SEWBReC on Facebook
The
South East Wales Record Centre, SEWBReC, has joined the modern age, in
the form of a company profile on Facebook. They hope this resource, in
addition to the existing website, will allow us to communicate with the
local recording community effectively, and promote the submission of
records. You can find them
here.
Added 31 Mar 10 |
|
WAG Energy Policy
Environment Minister Jane Davidson has launched WAG's
new energy policy statement
'A Low Carbon Revolution'. It claims
that Wales could produce nearly twice as much electricity as it needs
entirely from renewable sources by 2025 - though this includes nuclear
power and marine sources that could include a Severn Barrage.
Added 19 Mar 10 |
|
Unused Hydropower
The Environment Agency has published a
report and maps for Wales and England showing 26,000
locations where a hydropower turbine could theoretically generate green
electricity - potentially enough for 850,000 homes. With the new
feed-in tariff such sites could become an attractive income generators
as long as environmental safeguards are met.
Added 10 Mar 10 |
|
Woodlands for Wales
WAG and the Forestry Commission have
published the five-year
action plan to accompany last year's Woodlands in Wales
strategy.
Added 4 Mar 10 |
|
Llangattock Biodiesel Club
Just outside our county, this National
Park community group has 14 members and has distributed 1800 litres of
fuel in two months - at a cost of less than 90p/litre. See
www.llangattockgreenvalleys.org for more information.
Added 1 Mar 10 |
|
The Oil Crunch Report
You may be interested in reading the second edition of
the UK Industry Task Force report on Peak Oil. Access it
here.
Added 23 Feb 10 |
|
Well Done, Monmouthshire
A recent survey by Keep Wales Tidy has
shown a big improvement in litter-picking and street cleaning in the
county, compared with 2007/08. The County Council, the local Tidy
Towns Project funded by WAG, and support from other agencies and members
of the public must take the credit.
Added 20 Feb 09 |
|
Could Your Local Authority
Do Better?
This new DEFRA/Local Government
Association
guide, while seemingly aimed at English local authorities, should be
useful to Welsh councils and to those in their electorate who want to
improve the councils' response to climate change.
Added 12 Feb 10 |
|
WAG Could Do Better
The
GloballySusDCymru newsletter reports the Auditor General's view that
the Welsh Assembly Government still sees sustainable development (SD) as
one of a number of competing priorities, rather than as an approach that
will help WAG choose between competing priorities. Neither has WAG
used SD as a means of changing the culture of the organisation.
However, WAG's recent adoption of SD as its central organising principle
could herald progress.
Added 11 Feb 10 |
|
River Plan Approved
The Environment Agency's River Basin
Management Plan for the Severn catchment area, including the Usk and
Wye, has been approved by Ministers and can be accessed
here. The plan is mainly about the improvement of the quality
of the rivers of the basin.
Added 27 Jan 10 |
|
Tourism Brochure
Local residents as well as potential
visitors may find the 2010 Wye Valley and Vales of Usk
tourism
brochure an interesting read. Walkers will be interested to
watch out for the programme for a ten day Walking Festival, 22 - 31
October 2010, at
www.walkinginmonmouthshire.co.uk.
Added 16 Jan 10 |
|
Beacons Green Energy
Project Wins £300,000
After two years of preparatory work, the
Brecon Beacons-based Green Valleys Project to cut carbon emissions (see
10 Mar 09 below) has been rewarded with £300,000 to invest in
more micro-hydroelectric schemes - one of only three winners of the Big
Green Challenge, and the only one in Wales.
Added 13 Jan 10 |
|
An
Energy Saving Option
Utility Aid
helps the not-for-profit sector understand its actual energy usage,
check exactly what it is paying for, and then advise on how to really
make a difference both to your group and the planet, all whilst also
offering a pathway into the realms of the wholesale energy market.
Charities are eligible for a free energy audit. Call Lotte free on
0808 178 8170.
Added 13 Jan 10 |
|
Communities Suitable for
the Elderly
The 'Community
Calculator' is part of Age Concern Cymru’s campaign for
lifetime communities, Towards Common Ground. It reflects
what older people have told them they need within their local community
by enabling people to audit their communities on how suitable they are
for older people by rating 10 factors: local amenities; public
transport; public seating and places to rest; public toilets; pavements;
neighbourhood safety; places to meet; information and advice; ‘your
home’; ‘your voice’. The higher the score, the more suitable the
area is for older people; the lower the score the more the authorities
should be pressed to act. For more information
contact Mared Elenid Williams, Campaigns
Officer for Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales, 029 2043 1571
or email.
Added 12 Jan 10 |
|
Join the Network?
'Green Communities' is a programme from the Energy Saving Trust
in Wales that aims to facilitate and promote community based energy
projects. Become a member of their network and benefit from free expert
advice, free training, help with finding funding, the experience of
others, and monthly email bulletins. To join, click
here or call free on 0844 848 0077.
Added 12 Jan 10 |
|
Monmouthshire Signs Up to
10:10
Monmouthshire’s Local Service Board (LSB) has agreed to
sign up to the 10:10 campaign. 10:10 requires people and
organisations who sign up to cut their carbon emissions by 10% before
the end of 2010. The LSB is a group that brings together the
leaders of local public sector and voluntary organisations. They
ensure that these bodies work together to ensure public services
remain effective and citizen focused. Monmouthshire's LSB is the
first one in Wales to sign up to the pledge, with each organisation on
the LSB committing to look at energy use in their own buildings and
activities and making their own 10% reduction. More information
on the 10:10 campaign can be found at
www.1010uk.org.
Added 21 Dec 09 |
|
Wales Not Doing Enough?
With the international near-failure at Copenhagen, we
learn from the Western Mail that a National Assembly paper shows that
Wales reduced its carbon emissions by only 9.5% 1990 - 2007, and
therefore needs to reduce emissions by a further 10.5% to achieve WAG's
target of being 20% below the 1990 baseline by 2010. Wales'
figures are very subject to the vagaries of the energy industry, and the
recession may help, but the prospects of success do not seem
encouraging. Meanwhile a Sustainable Development Commission
report shows that WAG
itself, as an organisation, also needs to do better, making insufficient
progress to meet its own 2010 target, except in reducing waste and use
of green electricity tariffs.
Wales also looks likely to be missing its 2010 target
of halting the loss of biodiversity. Interest groups blame a
shortage of funds for safeguarding habitats.
Added 21 Dec 09 |
|
Guide for Groups on
Working with the Council
The Community Development Foundation has
published this free guide, Green Up! (download
from here). It provides community groups (at least in England) with
everything they need to work productively with their councils on
environment and sustainability issues. It is a plain English guide that
explains how community groups can get their work supported, but be aware
that the jargon and processes can be very different in Wales.
Added 7 Dec 09 |
|
Bus Guide Out
A new Monmouthshire Bus Guide Update is
available at One Stop Shops, TICs and Libraries or by clicking
here.
Added 21 Nov 09 |
New Model Constitution
A new,
simplified constitution for very small charities is being launched by
the Charity Commission. The new constitution is designed to
provide a concise, practical framework for charities with an income of
under £5,000. It uses clear, direct language that is easy to
understand, is only 700 words long and covers all the requirements for
a very small charity which does not own land or employ staff. It
was piloted in Wales and is available on the
Commission web site.
Charities with an income of less than £5,000 do not need to register
with the Commission, but are still subject to charity law. If the
income of the charity grows larger than £5,000, the charity will need
to register with the Commission and will need a more comprehensive
governing document.
Added 12 Nov 09 |
|
Host a Green Communities
Training Course
The Energy Saving Trust Green Communities
service (formally CAfE) is giving community groups the opportunity to
host their own Green Communities course. By hosting a training
event, Green Communities will be able to provide your group with a
bespoke course enabling you to improve your knowledge of energy and
develop a community energy project. Best of all it’s free of charge!
Green Communities will provide a trainer, the training resources and
manuals. As hosts, all you have to find is a venue and the delegates.
They can also provide up to £150 towards lunch and refreshments for your
group. Speak to one of their advisors on 0844 848 0077 or
email. Visit
www.est.org.uk/community.
Added 1 Oct 09 |
|
New Campaigning Guide
Campaigning is OK! they may not always like it, but it gets things done,
is an excellent guide to campaigning by community and voluntary
organisations. It is based on findings from 8 regional events and shows
why campaigns matter to the sector, even if they aren't always given
that label, what support bodies can do to help, and some useful pointers
such as a 90 minute work-out on how to plan a successful campaign.
Added 14 Aug 09 |
|
Micro-generation Escapes
Planning
WAG Minister Jane Davidson has announced that from
September Welsh households will not need planning permission for certain
types of domestic micro-generation equipment including solar thermal
panels and ground and water source heat pumps. For details consult
your local planning authority.
Added 7 Aug 09 |
|
Climate
Change Predictions
For the latest climate
change predictions click
here and here.
Note that Monmouthshire changes are likely to be closer to the averages
for adjoining English regions than those for Wales. The latest
predictions have prompted the Welsh Association of National Park
Authorities to stress the vulnerability of the Parks and the importance
of mitigating and adapting to the effects.
Added 19 June 09 |
|
New Rules for
Sustainable Building
In a pioneering move WAG has
announced
proposed changes that will mean that from 1 September 2009 most new
buildings proposed for planning permission will have to meet a national
standard for sustainability. The standard for new homes will be
31% higher than under current building regulations.
Added 8 May 09
|
|
MCC's Climate Change
and Energy Strategy
Click
here
to see the County Council's strategy for responding to climate change and the
need for much greater energy efficiency. The council has now got internal
groups and community groups working on short term action plans to start to
deliver the strategy. Their reports are
here.
Added 12 Apr 08 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Local Green Job Opportunities
|
|
|
|
If you have difficulty in finding a
job during the current recession, remember that voluntary work can
be very rewarding and will strengthen your CV. A number of our
member organisations offer volunteering opportunities; GAVO in
particular may be able to help find you a position.
|
|
New Public Transport
Advisory Committee
The Public Transport Users' Committee for Wales is
to provide advice to Welsh Ministers on public transport services
and facilities in Wales from a passenger's perspective. This
Committee wishes to appoint a Chairperson and eight members.
Details
here.
Closing date: 5 August 2010.
Added 21 Jul 10 |
|
CPRW Need Local
Secretary
The Monmouthshire Branch of
CPRW is looking for an Hon.
Secretary to help to co-ordinate their campaigning activities for
the protection of Monmouthshire's rural landscape and economy.
In addition to the routine tasks of supporting the Branch Committee
by taking Minutes etc. their Secretary acts as the hub for
communications within the Branch, with CPRW HQ and with a wide range
of public and voluntary bodies. (Increasingly all communication is
computer-based, so a broadband connection and some basic word
processing skills have now become essential.)
Please contact
Bill Butler
or ring 01600 860495.
Added 20 Oct 09 |
|
CCW Helps
Volunteering
The Countryside
Council for Wales (CCW) offers support to work placements, shadowing
and volunteering in the environmental sector for minority groups. A
variety of activities are available for example, visitor survey;
conservation surveys; communications; events; interpretation &
information; office administration; footpaths; committees and
sustainable development. Brecon Beacons National Park
Authority are delivering the scheme on behalf of CCW. For
further information please contact
work.placement@breconbeacons.org or Clare Parsons 01874 620434.
Added 21 May 09 |
|
Sustainable
Wales is seeking additional Trustees. They meet
four times a year at Porthcawl to provide support, advice,
information, guidance and accountability. Expenses paid.
See
www.sustainablewales.org.uk.
The Brecon Beacons
National Park has a Millennium Volunteers recruitment
scheme for those aged 16-24. Support for travel expenses,
lunch, refreshments, childcare. Training in countryside
management, access, wildlife habitats, visitor services from the end
of September. Many full-time staff started as volunteers.
Contact
millenniumvolunteers@breconbeacons.org or ring Ceri Bevan on
01874 620471.
Monmouthshire
CC is keen to attract Public Rights of Way Maintenance
Volunteers, who help, preferably weekly, with maintenance and improvement tasks on
promoted routes, and Pathcare Volunteers, who regularly check designated routes and undertake simple tasks.
Training, tools, insurance and travel allowance provided.
Surveying, Waymarking and Ploughing/Cropping Volunteers are also
often needed. Contact Volunteer Co-ordinator,
moragsinton@monmouthshire.gov.uk, on 01633 644663.
GreenWeb
also would welcome new committee
members. If you are interested in contributing to the
future of the network and can represent one of our member
organisations please contact
Dick Cole.
Planning Aid Wales is looking for new volunteer members of its
Board of Directors. PAW supports groups and individuals to
play a more effective role in the planning system, and is looking
for people with expertise in relevant fields. Contact Neil
Harris on 029 2087 6222 or
HarrisNR@cardiff.ac.uk.
Back to top |
|
Grants News
|
This section provides news of grant
opportunities that come to our attention. It is by no means
comprehensive and we advise you to contact
GAVO,
Supporting
Community Enterprise or
Monmouthshire CC's
Sustainable Communities (LA21) team for advice.
|
|
Assorted
Grants
We are now providing a
link to the Countryside Council for Wales' monthly
Funding Newsletter.
WCVA's sustainable funding website can be accessed
here.
Regeneration & Renewal' journal has an online version
of its
A-Z of funding
which offers a comprehensive directory of the funding and finance
available for regeneration.
The Green Grants Machine provides
information for companies
here.
Here are some other links to useful sources of grants:
Environment Wales; the
Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust (up to £2,000 for local
organisations); the
Dulverton Trust
(up to £25,000 for wildlife habitats), the
Garfield Weston Foundation,
HBOS Foundation (local grants of up to £10,000), the
Bernard
Sunley Charitable Foundation (£200 - 5000), the
Wakeham Trust (up to £750 for small community projects unable to
find funds elsewhere), the
Idlewild
Trust (mainly historic buildings, but check for web site
update), the
Woodland Trust (up to £100 for community tree planting), the
Ashden Trust
(£1 - 20,000 for a variety of projects), the
Jephcott Charitable Trust (£2 - 10,000 for projects with
difficulty getting started or finding funding), the Conservation
Foundation and O2 ('It's
Your Community' - up to £10,000), the
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, the
British Ecological Society, the
Country Land and Business Association
(grants of about £2,500), the
Naturesave
Trust (small start-up research and conservation projects dealing
with causes rather than effects) and
Triodos Bank
(loans).
|
|
Young Roots Heritage
Grants
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)
dedicates £3 million per year to its Young Roots grants programme,
which gives grants ranging from £3,000 to £25,000 to fund projects
that engage young people aged 13-25 with heritage. HLF research into
the programme shows that young people enjoy shaping their projects
and learning about heritage. They value the skills and confidence
that taking part in a Young Roots project can bring. Youth workers
tell us that the programme has opened up heritage as an exciting new
area of work for them. And heritage organisations value the
opportunity to work with young people in a supported way. They
are actively looking for potential projects to be supported through
Young Roots in Wales. There are no deadlines for applications and
decisions are reached within 10 weeks. The HLF team is available to
provide advice and help before applications are submitted. For more
information visit:
www.hlf.org.uk/HowToApply/programmes/Pages/youngroots.aspx
Added 6 July
10 |
|
New Community Wildlife
Fund
The
Big Lottery Fund has opened a new £2m community wildlife funding
programme offering grants of between £300 and £10,000. The grants
will be awarded to projects that improve the natural environment by
raising awareness of threatened wildlife or places. Voluntary or
community sector organisations, town and parish councils, schools
and health bodies can apply. There are three deadlines for
applications: 21 July, 22 September and 24 November 2010.
Application forms can be downloaded
here. Alternatively, call 0845 367 0610, or textphone 0845 602
1659.
Added 6 Jul 10 |
|
MCC Environmental Grants
Monmouthshire’s
Community Environmental Grants are now available. These grants, of
up to £1000, could be just what you need if your school or community
group is looking for a cash boost to help with a project which will
benefit your local community.
There are three different
types of grant:
Environment and
Countryside Grants -
fund projects that help people to enjoy and
understand the countryside.
Community Pride Grants - help
local communities celebrate what is special about their locality and
foster pride in their local area.
Schools Sustainable Development Grants –
enable
schools to improve their sustainability.
Last
year 37 projects received funding through this grants scheme.
The closing date for applications is Thursday 4 August 2010.
Groups must be fully constituted with a bank account; projects must
be completed by the end of March 2011. For more information or
to discuss your project, please contact Colette Mooney on (01633)
644108 or
colettemooney@monmouthshire.gov.uk. The application
form is on the
MCC website.
Added 28 Jun 10 |
|
Ynni'r Fro
This is Wales' grant scheme for
social enterprises generating renewable energy at a community scale
- minimum sizes of installation apply. Further details at
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ynnirfro.
Added 28 Jun 10 |
|
Future Jobs Fund
Funding is still available for third sector organisations to
create jobs for 18-24 years olds through the Department for Work and
Pensions’ Future Jobs Fund. WCVA made a successful bid last
year for funding for the sector in Wales - and money is available
for organisations to support young people affected by the economic
downturn. Since the launch of the Future Jobs Fund, almost
10,000 new jobs for young people have been announced across Wales,
in a range of areas including environmental work, health and social
care, and youth and community work. The Fund can provide up to
£6,500 per new job created. Any third sector organisation
interested should contact the WCVA Helpdesk for more information on
0800 2888 329 or
help@wcva.org.uk.
Added 12 Jun 10 |
|
John Lewis Secondments
An additional 10 charities, 32 in total, will be able to take
John Lewis staff on free secondments after the retailer decided to
increase the number of placements it will offer this year. Under the
Golden Jubilee Trust programme, selected John Lewis or Waitrose
staff complete secondments at charities either part time or full
time for up to six months. For more information, visit
www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk or email
chris_l_jones@johnlewis.co.uk.
Added 12 Jun 10 |
|
Environment Wales
If you are in the process of applying
for a grant from Environment Wales or are considering putting in a
grant this year please be aware that the Project Grant pot is likely
to be spent at the next grants meeting 7 July 2010. They
still have grant money left in the Start up, Pre-project and
Training Grant pots. If you would like to submit a grant for
the next meeting please contact
Steven Bromley
(01443 845035) ASAP.
Added 8 Jun 10 |
|
Community RE Projects
The
Naturesave
Trust has announced that it will now provide start up 'seed
corn' grants for community renewable energy projects. The Trust is
keen to help communities, in particular, that do not have the
initial start-up capital to undertake all the preliminary work to
get to the planning stage, and most importantly, for the community
to retain as much control as possible over the operating income once
the project has been successful. Grants are available whatever type
of renewable power generation the community is considering.
Applications can be made at any time.
Added 5 May 10 |
|
Volunteers Available
The A4e Community Task Force is
looking for volunteer placements for unemployed people aged 18-24.
The work must be of community benefit and is ideally for 25 hours a
week for 13 weeks. Contact
NSims@a4e.co.uk. Note that
GAVO offer a
similar service.
Added 12 Mar 10 |
|
Let's Walk
Let’s Walk Cymru’ is a
new initiative developed in partnership with the Sports Council for
Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government and Countryside Council for
Wales - tasked with increasing the number of people participating in
walking as a regular activity. The programme seeks to explore
innovative ways of promoting walking to improve health and
wellbeing. There are three levels of grants available (ranging from
£1K - £15K) and awarded reflecting the size & content of the
project. Further information
here
Added 10 Mar
10 |
|
Future Jobs Fund
WCVA and Jobcentre Plus have
introduced the FJF programme allowing third sector groups to gain
extra funding and manpower (18-24 unemployed). Contact
gdervish@wcva.org.uk -
01745 357569.
Added 23 Feb 09 |
|
Loan Finance
Triodos Bank
has launched a climate change bond, which will be used exclusively
to finance organisations that actively work against the causes of
climate change. The bond, which will have a minimum deposit of
£500, is being offered over an interest period of two, three or five
years.
Added 6 Feb 10 |
|
Free Insurance and
Grants
Keep Wales Tidy is now able to offer
free insurance to volunteer groups undertaking practical
environmental improvement as part of the Tidy Towns project.
Small grants for tools, etc are also available.
Email or visit
www.keepwalestidy.org/our-projects/1284/who-is-your-project-officer.
Added 6 Feb 09 |
|
Help for Helping SMEs
Recycle
WRAP's Wales SME Recycling Support
Grant Scheme is a new initiative designed to significantly increase
recycling rates in Wales by providing financial support to
organisations which are able to offer specialist recycling services
for Welsh SMEs. Grants can support up to 30% of capital expenditure
(and initial promotional costs) of a project, with funding available
up to £50,000. Further information
here.
Added 27 Jan
10 |
|
Lets Walk Cymru
This
is a new Wales-wide initiative developed in partnership with the
Sports Council for Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government and
Countryside Council for Wales - tasked with increasing the number of
people participating in walking as a regular activity. It provides
grants to organisations and groups across Wales. The programme seeks
to explore innovative ways of promoting walking to improve health
and wellbeing. There are three levels of grants available (ranging
from £1K - £15K) and awarded reflecting the size & content of the
project. Further
information
here.
Added 27 Jan
10 |
|
The Volvo Adventure
The Volvo Adventure - in
partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme - is an
educational programme that rewards environmental activities and the
decision-makers of the future. Two competitions are being run for
young people aged 10-12 and 13-16 (as of 1 July 2009), working in
small groups on environmental projects. The best projects are
selected for an all expenses paid trip to Göteborg, Sweden where
they can win cash prizes to support their projects. More information
here.
Added 27 Jan
10 |
Ecological Footprint Grant Scheme
WAG has a grant scheme (up to £5000 and/or
75%) encouraging greater use of ecological foot printing
techniques. For more details visit the Welsh Assembly Government’s
website.
Added 13 Jan 10 |
|
WAG Community
Facilities and Activities Programme
Voluntary and community groups and
private not-for-profit companies in Wales are targeted through this
capital grant programme. The objective is to fill gaps in finances
after all other avenues of assistance have been explored. Grants
will enable the provision of facilities within communities and
support activities that help promote local area regeneration. Up to
£100,000 per project may be awarded in any one financial year, or
£300,000 in total over a three-year period. Applications are
considered in two assessment rounds, which take place in April and
October each year. Further details are available
from
here.
Added 8 Jan 10 |
|
The Jason Kanabus Fund
Start up in the
farming industry with The Jason Kanabus Fund at The Prince’s
Trust. The Fund supports young people to get established in farming.
This includes: growing of crops or fruit; rearing of livestock;
maintenance of farmland; activities associated with or supporting
farming. Developed and promoted in association with the National
Farmers Union and National Federation of Young Farmer’s Clubs.
There are cash awards of up to £2,500 for tools or equipment, work
placement costs etc. or the Business Programme offers advice, small
grants or low interest loans. Further details are available from
kanabus@princes-trust.org.uk, tel 0800 842 842 or tel 029 2043
7000.
Added 5 Dec 09 |
|
Polden Puckham Charitable
Foundation
The Foundation aims to support
projects that seek to influence values and attitudes, promote equity
and social justice, and develop radical alternatives to current
economic and social structures. The Foundation supports the work of
UK registered charities. Grants are given in the following
categories: peace; ecological issues; and other areas -
support is given to human rights work, in particular when related to
peace, ecological issues and policy changes related to women’s
issues. Details are
available from the
website.
Added 5 Dec 09 |
|
G D Charitable Trust
The
Trust has chosen to prioritise its grant making in the following
charitable areas: the relief of animal suffering; the preservation
of the environment; the promotion of equal opportunities for
disabled people; and the relief of the homeless. The Trust prefers
to support charities registered with the Charity Commission although
it will consider other organisations as long as the purpose of the
grant is considered to be charitable. Further details are available
from G D Charitable Trust, 50 Broadway, Westminster, London SW1H
0BL. Tel 020 7227 7000.
Added 5 Dec 09 |
|
New Community Asset
Transfer Fund
The Big Lottery Fund and the Welsh
Assembly Government have opened new funding programme, providing
capital and revenue grants to support the transfer of assets from
public sector organisations to community ownership. Through
Community Asset Transfer Fund (CAT), up to £13 million will be
invested in communities, helping them transfer, develop, manage, and
sustain assets, such as land or buildings, thereby improving
neighbourhoods and people’s livelihoods. The primary aim of the
programme is to help communities become stronger and more
sustainable. Grants will be awarded up to the value of
£800,000, including a combination of both capital and revenue
costs. Revenue grants range from £50,000 to £300,000 and capital
grants range from £250,000 to £500,000. Assets transferred
from public sector bodies will be passed to enterprising
organisations that actively involve and benefit the communities they
serve, for example, those working towards improving the services
and/or facilities. Applications must be from cross-sector
partnerships Including at least one third sector organisation and
one public sector organisation. The CAT programme will be
delivered via three competitive funding rounds: Round 1 will
comprise a Fast-track round, to enable early investment in
projects that are fully developed and ready to start work
immediately. It is anticipated that rounds 2 and 3 will be launched
during 2010.
Added 3 Nov 09 |
|
CCW Calls for Project
Ideas
CCW has opened its 2010/11 grant
application window for project ideas from groups and organisations.
£6m worth of grants will be avaible. A new area for grants
will be for projects that support learning in the natural
environment outside the classroom. Visit CCW's
web site or
email or
phone 0845 160 3229 for more information.
Added 1 Oct 09 |
|
Community Garden
Groups
Fiskars
Orange Thumb
provides community garden groups with tools and materials for
cleaning up communities.
Added 7 Aug 09 |
|
The Brecon Beacons
Trust
The
Brecon
Beacons Trust is a new charitable company established to help
people, communities and voluntary organisations achieve positive
environmental conservation and enhancement within the Brecon Beacons
National Park. The Trust supports: environmental conservation,
protection and improvement of the Park for the benefit of the
public; greater educational awareness and knowledge of the
conservation, protection and improvement of the Park’s physical,
natural and archaeological environment. Thanks to the National
Grid the Trust is now inviting grant applications. Contact
Alan
Underwood 01873 832490.
Added 7 Aug 09 |
|
Community Cashback
This is a new scheme giving local
people a say in how £4m of recovered criminal assets should be spent
in their communities. You can suggest projects
here.
Added 29 July 09 |
|
Sheila
McKechnie Awards
The Sheila
McKechnie Foundation (SMK), the UK's only charity dedicated to
supporting campaigners across a wide spectrum of issues, including
Environment. The awards are given to individuals who show passion,
tenacity and potential to create change for the better, or stop
change that will make things worse - locally, nationally or
globally. Unlike other Awards, a Sheila McKechnie Foundation Award
is not just for what people have achieved, but for what they are
going to achieve. The awards have supported many individuals to take
their campaigns to the next level. More information
here.
Added 10 July
09 |
|
Give Your
Community a Little TLC
Monmouthshire CC is
looking for projects that will enhance the environment under the
Tidy Towns: Tidy Local Communities project. Community
groups will be given advice and support, with up to £2000 funding.
Contact Deserie
Mansfield on 01873 736037 or 07793259017. Practical advice
available from Keep Wales Tidy Officer Tom Ward Jackson on
07766754894.
Added 17 June
09 |
|
MOREwoods
The Woodland Trust has launched a new
scheme to help ordinary people and landowners to create new
woodlands, with funding and other assistance available. Click
here for more
information.
Added 4 June 09 |
|
Awards
for All
A new £2.4 million
Awards for All
programme has been launched by the Big Lottery Fund in Wales. Grants
of between £500 and £5,000 are available to community groups, social
enterprises, and community or town councils, schools and health
bodies throughout Wales. Grants can pay for project revenue costs or
small capital items.
Added 7 May 09 |
|
Low
Carbon Building Programme
This Government scheme
is open to householders, the public and private sectors, and
non-profit and community organisations, and offers 50% grants for
the installation of certain micro-generation technologies in
permanent buildings. Click
here for
further information; some grants are only available until June 2009.
Now extended to April 2011 (though solar PV is fully subscribed)
Added 22 Mar 09,
amended 15 Sept 09
|
|
Community
Help from Wilkinsons
Wilkinsons,the high street store, every
year they give 1% of our profits back to the community, giving to
causes and organisations that their customers are passionate about.
Apart from national sponsorship (currently RSPCA) they want to lend
a Helping Hand to
local community initiatives, groups and individuals that are in the
community of their customers and stores, by donating products and
vouchers. See
http://digbig.com/4ydma
Added 6 Feb 09 |
|
Water
Recreation Challenge Fund
The Welsh Assembly
Government is offering up to 100% grants to projects (large and
small) which help people to enjoy the waters of Wales. Minimum grant
= £5,000. The emphasis will be on supporting new capital and other
works improving bankside facilities, signage, off road parking, etc.
This can also include facilities designed to meet the needs of
disabled people. All projects should help promote sustainable and
responsible access.
http://digbig.com/4xnbn
Added 6 Oct 08 |
|
Cadw: Rural
Regeneration Grant
Cadw can offer a
grant towards repairing a building in the countryside in order to
make it suitable for a previous use or convert it for a new use. The
building must be: listed; 'at risk'; in the countryside or a village
of 500 inhabitants or less. The grant is available to trusts,
charities, public bodies, individuals, or businesses. This scheme is
for buildings of any type, including agricultural, industrial,
religious, domestic, and commercial.
http://digbig.com/4xnbm
Added 6 Oct 08 |
|
Waitrose
Grants
If you shop at Waitrose
you may have noticed that each store now receives £1000 a month to
distribute between three customer-nominated organisations according
to customers votes by tokens. Contact the local store manager
if you want to make a suggestion.
Added 23 Aug 08 |
|
|
|
HLF Young
Roots and Your Heritage Programmes
Due to the high number of applications received and strong
competition for funding, HLF Wales are currently unable to accept
any more applications to these programmes. They are however
accepting applications under the revised 'Your Heritage' and
'Young Roots' programmes, both of which have a simpler application
process and a 10-week assessment period. Please contact the
Development Team for more information on 029 20 343413 or email
wales@hlf.org.uk.
Added 3 June
08 |
|
New from
Esmee Fairbairn
The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has launched three new funding
programmes to add to those it has been running under its current
guidelines, which have been operable since January 2008. The
topics include Food and a Finance Fund. Details of the new
funding programmes are available via
www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/pr-template.html.
A breakdown of the existing funding options
from Main Grants and Strands is available via
www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/funding/index.html.
You can also e-mail
info@esmeefairbairn.org.uk.
Added 3 June 08 |
|
Welsh Community Recycling Sector Awarded £3m Fund
WAG
has awarded the community recycling sector in Wales £3 million over
three years to help build capacity. This will be designed to help
Cylch
member organisations achieve the investment necessary for them to be
sustainable long-term social enterprises. The fund will be
used to provide suitable investment that will help the sector in
Wales deliver waste minimisation, reuse, recycling and composting
activities. In order to avoid any conflicts of interest the
Cylch Capacity Building Fund will be administered
independently of Cylch, following selection of a contractor by the
end of March. Further details will be announced once an
administrator has been approved, with guidelines, eligibility
criteria and how to apply available later in the year.
Added 8 Apr 08 |
|
Tackle
Flytipping
Keep Wales Tidy is
running a pilot WAG scheme that offers up to £5,000 towards dealing
with flytipping hotspots. The grant can help with the costs of
tools, clothing, disposal, volunteer expenses, preventative
measures, etc. Contact
Pam.Barnes@keepwalestidy.org
or 02920 256767.
Added 9 Mar 08
|
|
HLF
Landscape Partnerships
Heritage Lottery Fund
support is available for partnerships of local, regional and
national interests, which aim to conserve landscape areas of
distinct local character. Priority for support are schemes which
provide long-term social, economic and environmental benefits for
rural areas. The scheme is changing in 2008. New application and guidance material
will be available from 1 April 2008.
Added 27 Nov 07,
amended 20 Apr 08 |
|
Playground Partnerships
Playground
Partnerships is inviting potential applicants to register an
interest in applying to the scheme when the application packs are
published in March 2008. The scheme provides awards of between
£1,000 and £10,000 to primary schools within the UK so that they can
enhance children's play opportunities. Playground Partnerships was
launched in 2004 and has supported over 650 primary and special
schools. Projects need to: be pupil led; involve the whole school;
have an input from the wider school community; encourage high
quality teaching and learning across the curriculum; foster the
inclusion of pupils with special educational needs. Awards are
likely to be of £1,000, £2,000, £5,000 and £10,000. At this stage
all that is required is for you to register your interest in
receiving an
application resource pack when they are published in March 2008.
Added 11 Nov 07 |
|
Google
Grants for Advertising
The
Google Grants UK beta programme supports organisations sharing
their philosophy of community service to help the world in areas
such as science and technology, education, global public health, the
environment, youth advocacy, and the arts. Designed for UK charities
which meet their requirements and are registered with the Charity
Commission of England and Wales or by the Inland Revenue, Google
Grants is a unique free advertising programme. Each organisation
choosing to participate in Google Grants receives at least three
months of free advertising.
Added 11 Nov 07 |
|
Small
Changes, Big Differences
Guardian Unlimited,
the online version of the newspaper, has launched
Small Changes, Big Differences, a bursary scheme to encourage
local groups to use small amounts of money to make significant
changes to their local environment. £10,000 is available overall,
and bursaries can range from £50 to £5,000. The bursaries do not
have to be used for charitable purposes. Application is really easy,
you simply have to provide your contact details and write up to 400
words about what you would do with the money you need. Ideas do not
have to be especially inspiring; the judges are simply looking for
‘small but thoughtful improvements that will make a big difference
to you and your community’. Examples cited include: buying devices
to place in a community centre’s toilets to save water; putting up
hanging baskets; buying solar panels for a school.
Added 3 Oct 07 |
|
New WCVA
Funding Web Site
WCVA’s sustainable
funding team have been busy bugs this summer preparing a new
website. Visit now to find practical help and support on
achieving long term financial
sustainability.
Useful information on various funding options, case studies,
training and sources of further help –
www.sustainablefundingcymru.org.uk.
Added 18 Sept
07 |
|
O2 Community Awards
O2 have committed £1m towards a
nationwide community improvement programme. The programme has four
categories: improving the place communities’ share; helping bring
people together; tackling issues and restoring pride and improving
the natural environments of communities. The programme is ongoing
and it is hoped that 60 awards are given out per month. Applications
can be made online at
www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk or phone 0800 90 20 250.
Added 26 July 07 |
|
Local Transport Services Grant
Each year, local
authorities in Wales are allocated extra funds for the provision of
additional or new bus or other transport services for local
communities. Further details
are available from Mrs Jane Corbett, Integrated Transport Unit,
Welsh Assembly Government, Transport Policy and Administration
Division, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ. Tel: 029 2082 6505, e-mail
Jane.Corbett@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK or visit
www.wales.gov.uk. It would also be a good idea to speak to
Glenda Genner at GAVO (01291 672352) if you want to talk about
possibilities in Monmouthshire.
Added 17 April
07
|
|
People and Places
The Big Lottery's People and Places
fund aims to bring people together to make their communities
stronger and to improve their rural and urban environments. This
programme will support people working together to make their
communities better places to live. It will support local and
regional projects and projects that work throughout Wales. People
and Places can fund projects that achieve one or more of the
following programme outcomes: revitalised communities; improved
community relations; enhanced local environments and community
amenities. This programme is open to the community, voluntary and
public sector. Money is available for capital and revenue projects
and can be used for the development of communities or communities of
interest. Further details are available from
http://tinyurl.com/ypkxqs.
Added 27 Mar 07 |
|
Small Events Recycling Fund
Cylch
have a grant fund available, from Environment Wales, to help small,
volunteer led, community based events start recycling. Groups will
need to explain the background to their event, what, if anything has
happened in the past with recycling at the event and why they wish
to recycle at this event this year. Grants of £1,000 are available.
For further details, contact Ruth Llewellyn, Wales Event Recycling
Officer, tel 029 2064 9750, email
ruth.Llewellyn@cylch.org.uk.
Added 1 Feb 07 |
The
Steel Charitable Trust
The
Steel Charitable Trust is a grant-making trust supporting general
charitable purposes. It is the policy of the trustees to make grants
to a wide range of charitable bodies. Grants are made to registered
charities in the UK within the funding priority areas: health &
medical research; social services; environment and culture. Grants
are made at the end of January, April, July and October and the
total level of grants is £900,000 per annum. Grants are made as
single payments between £500 and £25,000. Further details are
available from
www.steelcharitabletrust.org.uk.
Added 13 Nov 06
|
|
|
|
Back to top
|