Programme aims

Voluntary and community organisations play a major role in North Yorkshire’s social and economic makeup. Their engagement, and the engagement of the communities they work with, is key in helping the council meet its commitment to Net Zero.

This programme is designed to address any knowledge gaps that currently stand in the way of community-led climate action projects being developed. Through decarbonisation plans, it can also help organisations identify cost and energy saving opportunities either in the buildings they use or in the wider community.

Who can apply?

Voluntary or community organisations (with less than 250 staff) operating in North Yorkshire including:

• registered charities
• charitable incorporated organisations
• community interest companies
• community benefit societies
• not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee
• parish and town councils

Who can’t apply?

• organisations who want support with any community building or place too large or complex for a decarbonisation plan to be completed before February 2025
• organisations who want support with buildings not available for use by the whole community, eg political club buildings, religious buildings

What the programme will provide

This programme will provide support through specialist advice and/or decarbonisation plans.

Specialist advice can be provided on a range of topics including circular economy initiatives, climate adaptation and supporting nature to thrive (where there is a greenhouse gas reduction element). The type of advice given might cover project development, accessing funding and investment, engaging the wider community and stakeholders etc.

Decarbonisation plans are free of charge, costed plans that give an overview of opportunities related to energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, minimising waste and so on. The plans can be provided for a community building or a ‘whole place’, eg a village or community setting.

How do I apply? When’s the closing date?

Please complete a pre-application form and email it to ukspf@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk.

 Download a UKSPF pre-application form as Microsoft Word (docx / 172 KB)

 Download a UKSPF pre-application form as PDF (pdf / 233 KB)

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the support budget has been fully allocated. We expect to fund approximately 20 decarbonisation plans.

There is no set closing date but all support must have been applied for and received by February 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note:

• for ‘whole place’ decarbonisation plans, eg for a village, evidence of wider community engagement with the proposed project must be included with your application.

What happens after I apply?

Applications will be screened for basic programme eligibility before being passed to the Climate Change team for formal review.

Please note:

• organisations who have never had a decarbonisation plan will be prioritised over those wanting an update of a previous plan

When will I find out if I’ve been successful?

The climate change team will aim to let you know the status of your application as soon as possible.

What happens after my application is approved?

Depending on what support you require, the Climate Change team will either put you in touch with in-house support or a specialist provider. Should a site visit be required, this will be arranged at a time and date convenient for you.

What happens after I receive the support?

All successful applicants are expected to take part in project evaluation activities. This normally involves completing a short form 6-12 months after you receive the support, telling us about the impact the support has had on your business practices and any steps you’ve taken towards implementing suggestions made.