Environment & Climate Grant
Grants for community groups and schools in the Northampton Town Council area to cut emissions, save energy, reduce climate risks or improve biodiversity.
Questa opportunità è attualmente disponibile in inglese.
You can fund practical local projects such as renewable energy at community facilities, walking and cycling activities, waste reduction, sustainable food growing or work to reduce heat and flood risks. Projects should deliver a meaningful and lasting environmental benefit; biodiversity improvements are also supported.
Small, ready-to-go projects can receive up to £1,000. Larger or more ambitious projects can receive up to £5,000. The council may require your own contribution for some projects, including those costing more than £5,000 or creating a lasting asset, such as a building improvement. It may offer less than you request.
A community group can receive no more than £8,000 in total across all Northampton Town Council grant schemes in one financial year. This grant can be applied for only once per calendar year.
Eligibility
- Local charities, community interest companies, not-for-profit companies and unincorporated or newly formed community groups can apply. Groups must be based in the Northampton Town Council area and have an organisation bank account, or a written agreement with another organisation to manage the money on their behalf.
- Projects must take place within the town council boundary and clearly benefit Northampton residents. Priority goes to groups mainly serving that area. The council may allow flexibility where a clear local benefit is demonstrated, for example a venue just outside the boundary. Regional or national charities can apply only for a specific project directly benefiting Northampton residents.
- Schools can apply for work outside their core curriculum that brings wider community benefit. Individuals and businesses operating for profit cannot apply.
- Groups receiving separate Northampton Town Council Event Funding in the same financial year cannot apply for community grants.
- Costs already incurred and projects already carried out cannot be funded. Ordinary ongoing overheads and core salaries are normally excluded. Essential short-term venue hire may be considered, as may time-limited project staffing where it is clearly explained, essential to delivery and proportionate to the grant.
- Hospitality, alcohol, entertainment-only costs, party-political activities, primarily faith-based activities, statutory school provision and duplication of existing services without clear additional benefit are normally excluded. Community activities delivered by faith groups may qualify.
- Hold suitable public liability insurance unless the council agrees otherwise. Work involving children, young people or vulnerable adults needs an appropriate safeguarding policy and procedures for responding to concerns. Projects should be inclusive; personal information must be handled lawfully and securely.
How to apply
- Stato
- Aperto continuamente
- Restrizioni del bando
- Applications are accepted until the annual budget has been allocated.[^c8]
- Applications are assessed at committee meetings; general grant cutoffs are followed by the next cutoff for late submissions.[^c10][^c19]
Apply using the online form on the council’s Climate Change Grant Scheme page. A downloadable or posted form is also available and can be returned to Northampton Town Council, The Guildhall, St Giles Square, Northampton, NN1 1DE. Read the scheme guidance and community grant policy first. If you want initial feedback on an idea, you can email climatechangeforum@northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk before deciding whether to apply.
Explain the project, its lasting climate benefits, who will benefit, how you will measure results and how the money will be spent. For any single item costing more than £500, demonstrate that you have sought best value, normally through quotations. Include bank details.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the annual budget is allocated. Decisions are made at committee meetings. The council’s general grant process lists assessment cutoffs, with the next dates on 14 October and 11 November 2026; applications after a cutoff move to the next one. This climate scheme identifies the Environmental Services Committee as its decision maker, so use the council’s meeting calendar for its meeting dates.
Accept the grant conditions before payment. If your grant is being used to secure other funding, it will not be released until the full funding needed for the project is confirmed. Normally take up the grant within six months of award. For this scheme, request a written extension by the first day of the month in which the six-month period ends; the council must approve it, and spending must meet the resulting deadline.
Use the money for the approved purpose and agree project changes with the council in advance. The council can reclaim money used incorrectly, spent in breach of conditions or left unspent after one year unless an extension is agreed. It can also withdraw or recover funding if the project ends or changes enough to lose eligibility. Inform the council before disposing of funded equipment or assets within two years of purchase.
Provide the required evaluation. The policy lists a short reflection form for £200–£500 awards, an Impact and Reflection form for £500–£2,000 awards, and additional spending and outcome detail for £2,000–£8,000 awards across its grant schemes. For ongoing projects, feedback should normally be provided within one year of the project’s start. Awards above £1,000 require the council logo and “supported by Northampton Town Council” on project correspondence and publicity.