Our Next Meeting
Barnet VCS Environmental Network

Thursday 23 September,
10.45 - 12.15

If you've already been to a Barnet VCS Environmental Network meeting then you'll automatically receive an invite and zoom link for our 7th on 23 September.

If you've not joined us yet, then do email Ellen. These are informal and informative networking sessions for those working in the Barnet VCS, where we can come together to discuss environmental issues in the Borough, and work out how we as a sector can make a difference.

This networking group will raise awareness of environmental projects that are happening in the Borough, help to establish partnerships and joint initiatives and seek funding opportunities.

In September we'll be joined by Barnet Council's Greenspaces Service Manager, and we'll be discussing Tree Planting, the Council's Adopt a Place scheme and the Barnet Community Innovation Fund, which in Round 2 has funding for Green Space projects.

If you have any topics you would like to raise/discuss, do let Ellen know.

FOR PAST E-NEWSLETTERS

Funding & Events
Barnet Community Innovation Fund

Deadline: Monday 1 November 
Events: 9 & 13 September

Since launching in spring 2021, the Barnet Council-led Community Innovation Fund (CIF) has invested nearly £130,000 in seven local projects that are helping Barnet residents and communities improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Following the success of the pilot scheme, the joint initiative with local NHS partners and Barnet's volunteer and community sectors represented by Barnet Together, a second round of funding with a pot of £320,000 will be open for applications from 1 October 2021 and will close on 5pm on Monday 1 November. The decision panel will prioritise innovative projects that are focused on mental health and tackling loneliness, improving equality and inclusion, supporting children and young people, and enhancing green spaces for healthy leisure.

Find out more at online workshops on Thursday 9 or Monday 13 September.

If you have any questions about the fund, please contact Marta Montague, Community Innovation Fund Manager.
 

Funding
Aviva Community Fund - crowdfunding

Deadline: 5 October 2021

Fundraise with Aviva and be in with a chance of a share of their £250,000 community fund. Your project must fall into one of the following three areas:

• Building back better: helping society to bounce back from the pandemic by addressing the health and wellbeing, and economic impacts on communities and individuals
• Climate champions: helping communities to prevent, prepare for and protect against the impacts of climate change
• Financial empowerment: supporting financial inclusion and giving people the tools to become more financially resilient and independent.

And be raising funds to help:

• Develop a new approach, product or technology; or
• implement a new initiative or pilot a new scheme; or
• expand existing services to a new area or beneficiary group; or
• adapt services to meet today's needs without compromising those of future generations

Find out more about their crowdfunding support and project.
 

Online Event
Communities and the Climate Crisis

Tuesday 14 September, 3 - 4pm 

With recent extreme weather conditions leading to an increased awareness of the devastating impact of climate change, the eyes of the world will be focussed on the UK later this year as Glasgow plays host to perhaps the most pivotal UN Climate Change conference ever held, COP26.

Whilst effective global responses to the threat posed by the climate crisis are of course critical, what can communities do at the local level to better adapt and respond to the climate emergency? The fundamental changes required to the economy to become net zero by 2050 and to be resilient to unpredictable weather patterns present an opportunity to level up like no other.

With ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods likely to be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than other parts of the country, what can we do to ensure that these communities do not bear the costs of climate change mitigation and a move to zero carbon, and are able instead to be at the heart of, and benefit from, a just transition?

Book your place

Event
Great Big Green Week

18 – 22 September 2021

In September communities across the country will join together for the Great Big Green Week. It will be the biggest event for climate and nature ever in the UK, and everyone’s invited!  Take part in 100s of events and/or submit your events for their free listings.

Find out more
 

Volunteers Needed
GROW Totteridge

Every Wednesday

GROW Totteridge are looking for volunteers to help out with jobs on the GROW Farm. No experience is necessary and all are welcome. Join them on Wednesdays between 10am - 4pm to help with weeding, planting, harvesting and more!

Find out more via Volunteering Barnet 

Funding
LION’s Growers Grants for Black and People of Colour

Closing date: 12 September

Land In Our Names (LION) ​will be redistributing over £29,000 in grants to Black people and people of colour who are either interested in getting into growing, investing in their already established allotment or back garden, investing in their learning and training or their projects/businesses.

FOR MORE INFO & TO APPLY
 

Job Vacancy
Heath Hands

Closing date: 10 September

Heath Hands are recruiting for a Project Activity Leader to help deliver their programmes connecting people to nature on Hampstead Heath (inc the Heath Extension) over the next 18 months. 

Contract: 18 months
Hours: 30 hours per week including some weekends
Pay: £17,500 pa (£21,000 fte)

Find out more information and apply here.