Zero Carbon Communities Grant

The Zero Carbon Communities Grant Scheme is now open! It allows communities in South Cambridgeshire to take action on climate change at a very local level.
Applications are invited for projects under the 2 themes:
- Reducing carbon emissions or locking up carbon
- Community engagement on climate change
We encouraged South Cambridgeshire communities of all sizes and levels of experience to apply for these grants and bid for a share of £120,544.
The deadline for applications to be received by the Council has been extended and is now 5pm on Friday 17 June 2022.
Apply for a Zero Carbon Communities Grant
For more information on how to apply please visit our Guidance webpage or download our Information [PDF, 0.4MB] and Guidance [PDF, 0.3MB] documents.
Please note that we do not accept applications for work undertaken before the receipt of funding.
A workshop was held on 26 April to help those considering applying. As part of the workshop, Eleanor Haines, Climate and Environment project officer spoke about the changes to the grant this year, Cllr Linda King from Willingham Parish Council spoke about their previously successful projects, and Sally Page from Cambridge CVS spoke about how to make a successful grant application. A recording of the workshop is available below.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to apply, but I am not sure what project to do?
If you are interested in applying, but want to get ideas for projects, please refer to our application guidance. Alternatively, please get in contact with us at ZCC@scambs.gov.uk. You can read about previously successful projects here.
Are church buildings eligible, for example, a church school room used for village activities not connected with church?
Yes, Church buildings are eligible, provided they are used to provide a benefit to the Community. Please refer to our criteria and guidance paying particular attention to the stated objectives. Project proposals will be scored and prioritised for funding based on how well the answers to the questions fulfil the objectives given for each theme.
For guidance on measures which can be taken for historic buildings and churches themselves, please visit the Historic England website.
Can the funding go towards capital purchase of land as part of a nature project, or just planting, equipment etc?
Yes, this could be considered, although we would expect the costs of land to be very high and as such it would probably be better if the grant was to pay for planting, equipment and sundries.
Are air/ground source heat pumps eligible for funding?
Yes, although please be aware that any funding provided by the ZCC grant would mean you would not be eligible for Renewable Heat Incentive payments from the Government. For this reason, we would expect applicants to have considered other sources of funding, including borrowing (to be paid back by with the RHI payments), where possible. You would also need to demonstrate that a heat pump is the right technology for your community building, for example as detailed on an energy survey and that you have strong community engagement plans. For further information, please refer to our criteria and guidance paying particular attention to the stated objectives. Project proposals will be scored and prioritised for funding based on how well the answers to the questions fulfil the objectives given for each theme.
Are EV Charging Points eligible for funding?
We do not accept applications for EV charge points as there are now Government grants available for this. If you would like more information on this, please contact ZCC@scambs.gov.uk for help on accessing grants for EV charging.
If a project is more than £15k and other sources of funds have not been identified or received, can an application to ZCC still be made with a chance of success?
Where additional funding has been agreed you will stand a better chance with the grant, particularly if you are requesting the full £15k. If the additional funding expected does not materialise, there is a chance your project cannot be completed. For further information, please refer to our criteria and guidance paying particular attention to the stated objectives. Project proposals will be scored and prioritised for funding based on how well the answers to the questions fulfil the objectives given for each theme.
How do we measure the projected carbon emission reduction?
Please refer to the application guidance for more details on how to measure carbon emission reduction. We require this information for a project to be successful. Failure to provide this information may jeopardise the success of your application.
How do we measure how much carbon is locked up through tree planting?
Please refer to the application guidance for more details on how to measure community engagement on climate change. We require this information for a project to be successful. Failure to provide this information may jeopardise the success of your application. Information on carbon measurements can be found at UK Woodland Carbon Code website.
How do we measure community engagement on climate change?
Please refer to the application guidance for more details on how to measure community engagement on climate change. We require this information for a project to be successful. Failure to provide this information may jeopardise the success of your application.
Community buildings - if a centre is used only by one client group, how may wider community engagement be achieved?
Wider community engagement can still be achieved and does not necessarily need to involve just one community group. Perhaps you could arrange a meeting for your community e.g. give a presentation at a Parish Council meeting or at your local school. We are looking for value for money, so if you are requesting the maximum amount, we would expect a high level of Community engagement in order to score highly. For further information, please refer to our criteria and guidance paying particular attention to the stated objectives. Project proposals will be scored and prioritised for funding based on how well the answers to the questions fulfil the objectives given for each theme.
You can read about the local projects we have already funded through the Zero Carbon Communities Grant scheme.
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