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

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

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

Added 18 Jun 10

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 

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

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

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

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

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

Communities Suitable for the Elderly

Added 12 Jan 10

Join the Network?

Added 12 Jan 10

Monmouthshire Signs Up to 10:10

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

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

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
 

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

Added 12 Jun 10

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

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

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

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

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.

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
 

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