Apply Now: Spotlight Local Climate Action (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 03-Nov-2026

The Spotlight Local Climate Action Fund provides grants to small charities, community interest companies (CICs), and community groups in Greater Manchester working with local people to take nature-based action on climate change. Grants range from £500 to £5,000, with £100,000 available for distribution among successful applicants. The fund aims to make climate action more inclusive by supporting communities and people who have traditionally faced barriers to participation due to factors such as age, disability, gender, race, or income.

About the Spotlight Local Climate Action Fund

The Spotlight Local Climate Action Fund is designed to help local organisations and groups engage communities in practical, nature-based responses to climate change.

The fund aims to:

- Engage local communities in climate action. - Build stronger connections between diverse groups. - Tackle inequalities that can prevent participation in climate action. - Give people greater agency and ownership in developing climate solutions. - Encourage community-led nature-based climate action. - Bring people together around a shared purpose. The programme recognises that communities can play an important role in developing local responses to climate change. Funding Available Grants range from £500 to £5,000. A total of £100,000 is available for distribution among successful applicants. The fund can support different types of costs and activities, including: - Running costs. - New projects. - Capital costs. - Continuation of existing work. This flexible approach allows eligible organisations and groups to seek support for a range of local climate action needs. What Projects Are Prioritised? Priority is given to projects that place local communities at the centre of climate action.

Projects should ideally:

- Engage communities in climate action. - Build connections between people and groups. - Bring diverse communities together. - Tackle inequalities. - Give local people agency in climate solutions. - Encourage community ownership of climate action. - Use nature-based approaches to address climate change. Projects that create meaningful opportunities for people who have traditionally been excluded from climate action are particularly relevant to the fund. Supporting Inclusive Climate Action The fund recognises that some people may face barriers to participating in climate action because of factors such as: - Age. - Disability. - Gender. - Race. - Income. The programme therefore seeks to support approaches that make climate action more accessible and inclusive. Applicants should consider who is currently excluded or underrepresented and explain how their project will create opportunities for broader participation. Nature-Based Climate Action Projects must focus on local, nature-based climate action. Nature-based approaches can bring environmental and community benefits together by involving local people in practical activities that respond to climate challenges while strengthening connections with the local environment. Applicants should clearly explain how their proposed work contributes to local climate action and how communities will participate. Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

- Small charities. - Community interest companies (CICs). - Community groups.

Applicants must:

- Have an annual income of under £250,000. - Operate within Greater Manchester. - Focus on local, nature-based climate action. The fund is intended for smaller organisations and groups that are actively working with local communities. Eligible Costs The fund considers a broad range of funding categories.

Support may be available for:

- Running costs. - New project costs. - Capital costs. - Costs associated with continuing existing work. Applicants should demonstrate how the requested funding will contribute to their local climate action goals and community engagement. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should clearly explain the connection between their organisation, local community, and proposed climate action.

A strong application should:

- Clearly describe the nature-based climate action being proposed. - Identify the communities that will participate. - Explain how local people will have agency and ownership. - Show how the project addresses inequality or barriers to participation. - Explain how the project will bring people together. - Demonstrate the local relevance of the climate issue being addressed. - Provide a realistic funding request between £500 and £5,000. - Clearly explain how the funding will be used. Why the Fund Matters Climate action can be more effective when communities have the opportunity to shape and lead solutions that reflect local needs. The Spotlight Local Climate Action Fund supports this approach by helping smaller organisations and groups engage people in nature-based climate action while also addressing inequalities and strengthening community connections. By encouraging diverse groups to work together, the fund aims to make local climate action more inclusive, participatory, and community-led. Frequently Asked Questions What is the Spotlight Local Climate Action Fund? It is a grant programme supporting small charities, CICs, and groups in Greater Manchester that engage local communities in nature-based climate action. How much funding is available? Grants range from £500 to £5,000. What is the total fund available? A total of £100,000 is available for distribution among successful applicants. Who can apply? Small charities, community interest companies, and community groups operating in Greater Manchester can apply if they meet the fund’s eligibility requirements. What is the income limit? Eligible organisations and groups must have an annual income of under £250,000. Where must applicants operate? Applicants must operate within Greater Manchester. What type of climate action does the fund support? The fund supports local, nature-based climate action that engages communities. Ca