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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.
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News
Jobs
Grants |
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Unused Hydropower
The Environment Agency has published a
report with maps
(link not working 10/3) 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 2010 |
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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 2010 |
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Have
your say on new legislation about Waste and Recycling
A National Assembly for
Wales’ Legislation Committee is calling for evidence to help with their
consideration of new legislation about Waste and Recycling. The
deadline for responses is Friday 23
April 2010.
This is a measure (a Welsh law) to make provision to reduce the amount
of waste and litter in Wales and contribute to the development of more
effective waste management arrangements.
The areas of consideration
are: 1 - How
the revenue raised by any charges for single-use carrier bags should be
spent – should it be put towards environmental projects?
2 - Local
Authority waste and re-cycling targets. 3
-
Local Authority use of
landfill sites.
Responses should be sent to
legislationoffice@wales.gsi.gov.uk and further information can be
found
here
Added 4 Mar 10 |
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A Robin Hood Tax?
Why not sign up for a campaign for a
0.05% tax on banking transactions between financial institutions that
could raise billions to fight poverty, protect public services and
tackle climate change. Visit
www.robinhoodtax.org.uk.
Added 4 Mar 10 |
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Biodiversity Events
A Bio Blitz at
Nelson Wern (ST117956) will be taking place on Sunday 6 June
2010, 10am-4pm (provisional time), run by Caerphilly CBC and SEWBReC.
The survey area will cover 14ha of mixed habitat of wet woodland,
meadows, ponds and streams. Bat detecting and moth trapping sessions
are scheduled for the previous evening. Please register your
interest with either
alice.britt@sewbrec.org.uk or
beverd@caerphilly.gov.uk.
There is also a
hoverflies training event organised by National Museum Wales on
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April 2010 at the National Museum,
Cardiff. The course fee is £25. Contact
mike.wilson@museumwales.ac.uk.
Added 4 Mar 10 |
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Accessibility at Railway
Stations
If you are to some extent disabled or
care for someone disabled you may wish to provide evidence to a National
Assembly committee inquiry into this matter.
Responses should be sent to
equality.comm@wales.gsi.gov.uk and further information can be found
here. Deadline 1 April 2010.
Added 1 Mar 10 |
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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 |
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Working with Children and
Young People
WCVA has a one-day course at the QED
Centre, Pontypridd on 19 April 2010 (or The Pavilion,
Llandrindod Wells on 29 April) on the CRU's Vetting and Barring Scheme.
Contact help@wcva.org.uk or 0800
2888 329. See 7 Dec below.
Added 25 Feb 10 |
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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 |
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Dingestow Multi-purpose Trail
Monmouthshire CC and adventa have European funding to
identify multi-purpose routes for walkers, mountain bikers, the disabled
and horse riders. One route to be promoted is the Kingswood and
River Trothy route near Dingestow. Those interested, especially
accommodation providers, other businesses keen to encourage more
visitors to the area, and local residents can learn more at a public
meeting at Dingestow Village Hall, Thursday, 11 March 2010, 7.30
- 8.45pm. Contact Becky or Zara at adventa 01873 736035.
Added 23 Feb 10 |
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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 |
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An Extra LDP Consultation
The County Council is now inviting
informal comment on a report on the consultations they undertook last
year on their Preferred Strategy.
It is available on the Council's
web site along with other new information including assessments of
'candidate sites' adjacent to or near Main or Secondary Settlements.
Village sites will be the subject of a further informal consultation at
the end of April. Deadline: Friday, 19 March 2010.
Formal consultation on the Deposit Plan is expected in the coming
summer.
Added 20 Feb 09 |
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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 |
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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 |
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The Cultural Olympiad
The Valleys have been selected as one of
the areas for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad's "Discovering Places"
programme which will provide a wonderful opportunity to promote the
environment and heritage of the valleys using the Olympic movement.
That part of Monmouthshire in or close to the Blaenavon World Heritage
site and the related Forgotten Landscapes project should be able to
participate. Essentially the Valleys Partnership wishes to
organise a series of environment and heritage events across the valleys
as part of this to promote our fantastic countryside and heritage to the
UK and the world. They can be large or small and it all starts with the
Discovering Places Weekend 2010: 1 - 3 May, 2010. Contact
David
Llewellyn on 01443 849963 - before 12 February for the May
event.
Added 6 Feb 10 |
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Tintern Hydro Scheme
Approved
Planning permission has been granted for
TAP's controversial community hydro-electric project on the Angiddy
river at Tintern.
Added 3 Feb 10 |
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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 |
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'Gateway Monmouth'
The county council is asking for ideas on how the
space between the old and new Monnow bridges, including the area
previously the subject of a Welcome Centre proposal, could be
improved. Submissions are invited by 12 March 2010, after
which some will be exhibited. Much more information
here.
Added 27 Jan 10 |
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Seedy Sunday
A new group, Abergavenny Climate Action,
will be launched on 7 March 2010 (2.00 - 5.00). The event, at Trinity
Church Hall, will be primarily an exchange of seeds and plants ready for
the new growing season, but more is being planned. If you can help
in any way contact Richard
Lewis - 01873 854662. A second launch event will be a showing
of the inspiring film about Cuba 'The Power of Community' at
St Michael's Centre at 7.30 on
26 March 2010. Membership
contact:
lizziebarnett1@btinternet.com or Laurie Jones on 01873 851299.
Added 25 Jan 10 and 6 Feb 10 |
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Living Churchyards
The latest newsletter of the Gwent
Wildlife Trust's Living Churchyards Project is available
here.
Added 20 Jan 10 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Show the Age of Stupid
WAG
in partnership with WCVA is offering community and third sector
organisations an opportunity to screen the climate change film -
Age of Stupid.
They are offering £250 per group to arrange a screening. This funding is
to cover the cost of community venue hire, light refreshments and the
film licence for public showing (a legal requirement). If you are
interested in this opportunity then please send for an application pack
available by telephoning the WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329 or emailing
policy@wcva.org.uk. Funding is limited and awarded on a first
come first served basis. All events must be held before the end of
March 2010.
Added
8 Jan 10 |
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Watch Out for the Birds
Remember that if you start feeding the birds and giving them water
during the current very harsh weather, keep it up and they will get used
to visiting your garden.
If you
don't know your birds you may be interested in one of Ian Smith's Gwent
Ornithological Society
courses.
Added
8/12 Jan 10
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Congratulations
To Rev Jean Prosser of GreenWeb members,
the Village Alive Trust, awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours.
Added 5 Jan 10 |
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Media Opportunities
BBC Wales is offering charities 30
seconds of free radio or TV airtime plus media training.
Applications by June 2010 for broadcasting in 2011. Go to
www.bbc.co.uk/wales
and click on 'charities'.
Meanwhile
Mon TV is offering
an eight-week part-time course in video production.
Eight free places left. Contact
Charlotte Hancocks
(01600 713424).
Added 4 Jan 10,
1 Mar 10 |
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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 |
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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 |
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MCC Wins Award
Monmouthshire County Council has won a prestigious Gold Green Apple
Award. The Council won the top award for Councils in Wales for its
Wentwood Timber Centre.
The centre processes local hardwood timbers for supply into local
businesses. The Green Apple Awards are presented annually in recognition
of companies, councils and communities carrying out projects that
enhance the environment.
Added 7 Dec 09 |
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Working with Children?
If your organisation works with children
you need to be up-to-date with the latest Enhanced CRB check
requirements.
To download
the Vetting and Barring Scheme Guidance or Referral Guidance please
visit
www.isa-gov.org.uk
or contact WCVA CRU on 0800 0197391 or www.wcva-cru.org.uk.
Added
7 Dec 09 |
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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 |
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Prosiect Gwyrdd
A short
newsletter
tells you more about this regional project for dealing with residual
waste. The project is technology neutral but there are fears that
the successful bid will come from operators of 'energy from waste' (i.e.
incinerator) plants. Many doubt the energy potential and feel that
other technologies encourage more recycling, emit less CO2, are less
risky to health and could require less transport of waste.
Added 26 Nov 09 |
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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 |
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Climate Change Exhibition
to Borrow
A 14 X A0 board exhibition entitled
'Climate Change: What's Occurring?' that has been touring Wales will be
available free of charge from mid December. Contact
Elaine Rees,
University of Glamorgan - 01443 654531.
Added 12 Nov 09 |
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Charges for Plastic Bags
Following consultations Jane Davidson,
Environment Minister, has announced that by May 201, at the latest,
Wales will be the first part of the UK where shoppers must pay up to 15p
for a 'throwaway' plastic shopping bag. Details will be determined
next year, but it is intended that at least large retailers will manage
the collection of charges and distribution of the money raised to good
causes. Smaller traders are particularly concerned about the
implications for them and local authorities are to be responsible for
enforcing the scheme. Bags for meat, fish and medicines will be
exempt.
Added 4 Nov 09 |
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£60k for Monmouthshire
Transport Studies
SEWTA, the regional transport alliance,
has awarded the County Council the following funding: £15k for more
design work on the Monmouth Links walking and cycling project; £15k for
more work on the scheme for Severn Tunnel Junction; and £30k for looking
at the feasibility of park and ride on the Chepstow and Abergavenny rail
lines.
Added 4 Nov 09 |
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Latest Recorders'
Newsletter
The latest Gwent-Glamorgan Recorders'
Newsletter may be read
here. It includes an article on the birdlife of the Neddern
Valley.
Added 29 Oct 09 |
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Responses to WAG Waste
Strategy
WAG has published 61 pages of responses
it received to its draft waste strategy
'Towards Zero Waste', issued last April.
You can read the responses here
here.
Added
22 Oct 09 |
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Training Events
Natur's
Training Bulletin provides information on some of the courses, etc
available across Wales this winter.
Added 20 Oct 09 |
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Countryside Volunteer
Newsletter
The Autumn edition of this County Council
newsletter is available at
www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/countryside. It has a new look and
Morag Sinton, Countryside Volunteer Coordinator, would welcome your
comments.
Added 5 Oct 09 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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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 |
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Local Green Job Opportunities
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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.
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Energy Jobs
Severn Wye Energy Agency is based at Highnam in the Forest of
Dean. They are looking for a project manager to develop/implement
renewable energy projects, a project worker to support the
development of sustainable energy projects and affordable
warmth, and an energy advice person (based in Swindon) to advise
householders on energy saving measures. Closing date 11 March
2010.
Added 4 Mar 09 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
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Grants News
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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.
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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).
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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 |
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LEQ Grants
Grant applications are now invited
for WAG Local Environmental Quality Improvement Projects for
2010/11. £500,000 is available across Wales and the maximum
grant is £30,000. Preference will be given to new projects and
evidence of joint working at a community level will help. A
wide range of projects such as litter campaigns, tidying up derelict
land for community use, and community gardens have been successful
in the past. For full details contact
Jane Corbett or
Sonal Raulji -
029 2082 5581/6230. Deadline: Friday, 5 March 2010.
Added 13 Feb 10 |
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Environment Wales
The Environment Wales
Climate Change Grant Fund (see also 5 Dec 09) has
generated such interest that Environment Wales is making further
funds available to help engage new audiences in this issue.
Their Climate Change Next Steps Fund is aimed at any group in the third sector – environmental
or not - that wants to help others learn more about climate change
or take practical action to reduce their carbon footprint.
Grants of up to £2,000 are available for areas such as training,
workshops, activity days or public events. Applications will be
judged on a first come first served basis, with faster assessment of
grants of less than £1,000. The final date for applications is 1
March 2010.
More
details from 029 2043 1766 or
info@environment-wales.org.
Added 6 Feb 10 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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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 |
|
WAG Community RE
Programme
The Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Scale
Renewable Energy Generation Programme uses European Structural Funds
to provide advice and grants to support the development of
community-sized renewable energy schemes, through the Energy Saving
Trust. The programme aims to promote sustainable business
growth and new business opportunities by enabling the establishment
or further development of social enterprises based on
community scale renewable energy installations. Support
consists of local technical development officers, preparatory
stage grants of up to £30,000, and capital grants of up to £300,000.
Further information
here or from csreg@est.org.uk.
Added 25 Jan 10 |
|
CEDS 2010/11
The County Council is now inviting
applications for grant under its 2010/11 Community and Economic
Development Scheme. £350,000 is available for capital
projects; there is no revenue funding next year. A better
environment is one of the scheme's objectives. Further details
and the application form are
here. The closing date is 26 February 2010, with a
'surgery' arranged for 17 February.
Added 18 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. The next closing date for submission of
applications is 9 April 2010. Further details are available
from
here.
Added 8 Jan 10 |
|
Grants for Greening Un-green Third Sector
WAG has established a new scheme in partnership with
WCVA and Environment Wales to help third sector groups take their
first steps in tackling climate change. The Climate Change
Grant Fund aims to help third sector organisations which have yet to
engage with climate change action. Small grants (from £200 to
a maximum of £2000) are available to help promote, educate and
enable those who, up until now, have not worked on this issue.
For copies of the application forms and information pack, contact
the WCVA on 0800 2888 329 or email
climatechangefund@environment-wales.org.
Added 5 Dec 09 |
|
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. The next deadline is 12 March 2010. 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 |
|
Active Communities
Small Grant Scheme
GAVO has opened another round of this
grant scheme with a closing date of 31 January 2010.
Projects have to be fully completed and claims made by the end of
2010.
It is a revenue grant of between
£2000 and £5000 and applicants need to provide 20% of the funding or
match funding. For further information and an application pack
contact
Jackie Sturt at GAVO (01291 672352).
Added 24 Nov 09 |
|
Help for
Non-environmental Groups
The WCVA have set up the Environment Wales Climate
Change Fund. This is a small grant scheme (£200 - £2000) for
non-environmental groups who want to engage in climate-change action
for the first time. The kind of activities that can be funded
are: climate-change awareness-raising and education; encouraging
positive behaviour; expanding activities to help tackle climate
change; learning from good practice / training; testing the
feasibility of new ideas or new ways of working. For
application forms and information packs contact the WCVA helpdesk on
0800 2888 329 or e-mail:
climatechangefund@environment-wales.org.
Meanwhile Sustainable Wales is offering any
organisation training sessions on carbon footprint reduction from
£250 per day - contact
mm@sustainablewales.org.uk .
Added 24 Nov 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 avaialble. 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
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