The seventh round of South Cambridgeshire’s Zero Carbon Communities (ZCC) grants launch today (May 5) offering a share of £125,000 to successful applicants. The grant scheme supports projects which help reduce carbon emissions or ‘lock up’ carbon, as well as projects that foster community engagement on climate change.
The grant scheme supports projects which help reduce carbon emissions or ‘lock up’ carbon, as well as projects that foster community engagement on climate change.
Since its launch in 2019, the scheme has awarded over £625,000 in grants, supporting more than 70 community-led climate action projects.
Previous projects include solar panels for community buildings, a strengthened repair café network to encourage waste reduction and an event kit for a local group helping people adopt climate-friendly gardening practices at home.
Grants range from £2,000 to £15,000 per project.
Cllr Brian Milnes, Lead Cabinet Member for the Environment for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “The Zero Carbon Communities scheme shows the power of local action in addressing climate change. By investing in these projects, we are actively reducing carbon emissions while building stronger, more sustainable communities. This program reaffirms our commitment to a cleaner, greener South Cambridgeshire, ensuring a healthier environment for future generations and driving long-term sustainability across the district.”
The ZCC grants are open to parish councils and community groups in South Cambridgeshire and provide financial support for schemes that demonstrate a sustainable and lasting impact.
This year projects are invited under two themes:
- Projects that reduce carbon emissions or 'lock up' carbon. We’ve previously supported village halls and other community buildings to reduce their energy use by installing measures such as heat pumps, LEDs, insulation and solar PV. Projects funded under this theme have allowed organisations to reduce their emissions in other ways, such as replacing vans needed for their work with electric vehicles.
- Projects that achieve wider community engagement on climate change and promote sustainable behaviour change. Projects in previous years have included support for repair cafes, sustainable food projects and training for community climate leaders such as Cambridge Carbon Footprint's Net Zero Now course. You can read case studies of past ZCC projects on our website.
The ZCC grant scheme is funded through the Council's renewables reserve (business rates from renewable energy projects) and builds on a long-standing commitment to supporting community-level action on sustainable energy.
· Closing date for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 1 July 2025. Applications can be made using the online form on the grant webpage. Updated grant information and application guidance documents have been made available to help applicants.
· An online application workshop takes place from 5 - 6:30pm on Wednesday 21 May 2025. This will be an opportunity to pose any questions to the grant team and discuss project ideas. To sign up, please email zcc@scambs.gov.uk
· For more information visit the ZCC webpage, or email zcc@scambs.gov.uk.
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