Our Next Meeting
Barnet VCS Environmental Network

Thursday 16 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 16 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 there will be session on Barnet 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 
City Bridge Trust

Apply now, turnaround 12 weeks.

City Bridge Trust’s programme is open to charities and similar groups working in London with an annual income of less than £100,000. Small Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 per year are available for a maximum of five years, for the following areas of work:
•    Greening and growing projects which bring communities together and improve the local environment.
•    Projects which enable disabled people and/or older people who are disadvantaged to actively participate in the arts and sports, and health and wellbeing opportunities.

MORE INFO

Online Event
Food, conservation and sustainable communities

Tuesday 7 September, 12 noon - 1pm

In this online webinar, Agamemnon Otero will be talking about the Energy Garden – an exciting community-based development that combines horticulture with energy generation – and Dr Jenny Bromley, a plant scientist, will introduce vertical farming and its potential benefits for sustainable and healthy food production.

Nigel Crisp will be joined by the two presenters, a public health specialist and a conservationist to discuss these and other examples of the importance of food and conservation in helping to build a healthy and health-creating society.

MORE INFO & TO BOOK
 

Online Event
Green Social Prescribing

Tuesday 12 October,
10am - 12noon

Are you confused by social prescribing and wondering how it is relevant to care farming and green care? What is it and how does it work?

Join Social Farms & Gardens for a dynamic, friendly webinar where they'll explain how it all fits together and how care farms and other green care sites are getting involved. This practical 2 hour session will explain what’s new in green social prescribing and give you some top tips to take things forward.
 

MORE INFO & TO BOOK
 

News
The Ultra-Low Emission Zone

Changes from 25 Oct 2021

ULEZ is expanding from central London to create a single larger zone up to the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). The North and South Circular Roads themselves are not included in the zone. Find out how to prepare for the ULEZ expansion.

Even if you make a short trip in the zone using a vehicle that doesn't meet the ULEZ emissions standards, you need to pay the daily change.

Some drivers and vehicles qualify for at least a temporary discount, others are entirely exempt, check if you/your organisation is eligible and apply here.

Funding
Grow Back Greener

Closing Date: 5pm on Monday
13 September

Applications are now open for the 2021 Grow Back Greener Fund, co-funded by the Mayor of London and Thames Water.

The Grow Back Greener Fund will support a wide range of activities to help make London greener, fairer, healthier and more resilient. These activities should take place in and enhance publicly accessible spaces including parks, community gardens, housing estates, streets, school playgrounds, waterways and nature reserves. They should mainly be focused on making physical improvements to the space. 

They will prioritise projects that:

• are in areas of the city with poor access to open space, and high climate risk, especially where these are also areas of deprivation
• work with, or are preferably led by, Londoners who are less likely to access green space. This includes Black, Asian and minority ethnic Londoners, lower-income Londoners, and people aged 65 and over
• include opportunities for Londoners to access training or develop new skills.

The 2021 Grow Back Greener Fund will offer grants under two themes: access to green space, and climate adaptation and water.

Applications are open to civil society organisations, local authorities and schools. The last online information event is on Thursday 2 September or watch Webinar recording here.

FOR MORE INFO & TO APPLY
 

Funding
People's Postcode Trust

Apply on 1st September or 1st October

Two more chances to apply to the Postcode Society Trust. They will be re-opening for applications on the 1st the month, BUT they will close once 100 applications have been received, so you will need to be standing by to apply first thing on the 1st September or 1st October.

They are looking to fund (core costs or projects) organisations that are:  

• Improving mental wellbeing.
• Participation in the arts.
• Preventing/ or reducing the impact of poverty.
• Supporting marginalised groups and promoting equality.
• Improving biodiversity & green spaces.
• Enabling participation in physical activity.
• Responding to the climate emergency & promoting sustainability.
• Increasing community access to outdoor space.

Registered charities can apply for grants of up to £20,000, other not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to support both project and organisation core costs. The funding is available for 12 months. To be eligible to apply, organisations will need to have an annual income of below £1 million with preference given to those with an income of below £500,000 per year.

A funding guide and the application form can be found on the People's Postcode Trust’s website.