Devon County Council is helping local climate change projects make an impact

• A total of £40,000 in grants are on offer from Devon County Council to help local people tackle climate change
• Kicking off the entire campaign is a live 24hr crowdfunding event with 3 Crowdfunders vying for a portion of the first £10k
• All community projects across Devon are invited to tell Crowdfunder and the council their ideas to be in with a chance of applying for their slice of £30k matched funding – raise £5,000 on Crowdfunder and there could be up to £5,000 in matched funding from the Council

Devon County Council is tackling climate change head on by offering local people the opportunity to apply for a portion of £40,000 in grants to support local efforts in tackling the climate emergency, through crowdfunding.

The Council has partnered with Crowdfunder to distribute the grants.  £30K (of the £40k) is available to ten climate change ideas across Devon.  The remaining £10k is to be shared between three Devon-based initiatives that will participate in a live, 24 hour crowdfunding event, chosen for their contributions in helping Devon meet its net-zero goal.  

As part of the Crowdfunder #BackTheFuture initiative, the live event will see the people behind the Crowdfunder campaigns present their ideas to a special panel of guest judges, the supporters of their Crowdfunder campaigns as well as the public – many of whom will have their own ideas to tackle the climate crisis.

This exciting, not-to-be-missed event will be live-streamed on YouTube from 7pm-8pm on the 8th July 2021 with the link being sent to those that reserve their place in advance.  

The event, #BackTheFuture LIVE: Devon Climate Challenge, is a chance to get behind these three local community projects, as they come to the end of a challenging 24-hours of crowdfunding to raise as much support as possible to make change happen. 

Sign up to watch the inspiring event here! Attendees will be able to find out how best to crowdfund for their idea, hear from people that are making it happen in just 24hrs and find out more about the £30k up for grabs as well as how to apply for it.

What on earth is match funding? That’s what Crowdfunder calls the incredible, non-traditional grant process where a team or individual will raise money on Crowdfunder and then have those funds matched! Terms and conditions apply and are unique to every fund.

More about tackling the climate crisis in Devon
The Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and is on course to becoming a net-zero council by 2030.  

It also committed to ensuring that the whole county is net-zero by 2050 at the latest, and helped convene the Devon Climate Emergency (DCE) response group –  a partnership of  25 local authorities, environmental agencies, research institutions, health organisations and businesses. The partnership is developing a Devon Carbon Plan, which will be the county’s roadmap to carbon neutrality.

One of the key efforts to come out of the coronavirus pandemic is a renewed focus on the health of our planet and the positive effects that the world slowing down has on our environment. The Council has recognised the ambition shown by individuals and communities striving for positive climate action, and is looking to help.

The funding is to provide local climate organisations the opportunity to promote their work and give a financial boost to their plans for effective climate action.

It’s also an opportunity to engage and educate the public on the current state of our climate, and how we can all help to reduce the carbon footprint.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, is one of the judges on the panel.  She said:

“The only way we are going to be able to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change is to work together with every business, council, organisation and community playing its part.  Backing our communities and providing them with an opportunity to deliver local, community-based projects, will benefit everybody.  

“We need to prepare and adapt to the changing climate so that we are ready for the impacts on our homes, businesses, civil infrastructure and health that will arise from the effects of climate change. We’re excited to be able to help our environmentally conscious Devon communities to make a difference.”

The three Crowdfunders presenting their ideas for a portion of £10,000 are…

The Greenway Project: The Greenway Project aims to extend the Wray Valley Multi Use Trail beyond Moretonhampstead to Chagford, then onwards to the new railway station at Okehampton Parkway. Creating a strategic link for integrated active travel between the A38 and the A30. COVID has highlighted how necessary green exercise and carbon reduction is, and the importance of reducing the dependence on cars across the South West, particularly in the Dartmoor National Park area. The team are looking to fund the planning and design elements of The Greenway Project – an essential response to the climate emergency.

The Earth Repair Shop: Awareness of Climate Change is growing exponentially; in the UK alone, hundreds of local authorities have declared a Climate Emergency, including Devon County Council, North Devon District Council & Ilfracombe Town Council. The Earth Repair Shop is a community climate change advice centre in Ilfracombe, set up by a group of volunteers, with the aim of helping families to live more sustainable lives. The organisation have secured premises on the high street in the centre of Ilfracombe, but are in need of funding to assist with running costs and campaign expenses.

Sustainable Tiverton CIC: Sustainable Tiverton CIC is close to opening a Sustainability Hub in the centre of Tiverton, where they will demonstrate the reality of climate and ecological emergencies, and highlight the need for an urgent and effective response. The Hub will support people in the community in taking action: enabling volunteer-led projects to get started, and providing a base for agencies and businesses promoting sustainability and resilience. Working with MDDC, Community Action Groups (Devon) and other partners, the Hub will be a place to share ideas, learn new skills, and get involved. Playing a key role in bringing the Devon Carbon Plan alive in Tiverton.

Sign up to attend the event: #BackTheFuture LIVE: Devon Climate Challenge Sign-Up