Next round of community climate change grants to open next month
Applications for the next round of grant funding to support community-based projects aimed at tackling the climate and nature emergency will open in April.
High Peak Borough Council's Community Climate Change Fund was established in 2021 and has already provided grants to groups including Chapel Biodiversity, Glossopdale Furniture Project, Incredible Edible New Mills, and Serpentine Community Garden.
Jean Todd, Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Environment, said: "We at the Council have declared a climate and nature emergency and we want to work with organisations, groups and individuals on ways of managing the impact of climate change and providing environments in which nature can flourish.
"By providing community-led schemes with these grants we're making sure people can take action at a very local level. It's enabling communities across the High Peak to bring their projects and innovative ideas to life - and they are making a real difference.
"We've seen the fantastic work that those people who have already received grants are doing, and we're opening the next round of funding soon so that these benefits can be extended to even more areas of the High Peak."
Grants of between £400 and £5000 are available to support practical measures such as tree planting and habitat improvement, green travel and transport schemes, energy saving in community buildings, local food projects, recycling and reuse projects, and to help develop the skills needed to change and adapt lifestyles.
Grant-recipient the Grapevine Wellbeing Centre in Buxton received £700 to run specialist nature walks. Ana Mankiewicz, Charity Manager, said: "This funding allows people who come to the Grapevine Centre the opportunity to get out into the countryside and connect with nature.
"At the same time, it allows them to give back to their community through litter picking and highlighting any issues with the Rights of Way so that these can be addressed making the area accessible to all.
"Connecting with nature reduces blood pressure, stress and anxiety and encourages people to take steps to improve their health whilst also improving the environment for everyone."
The next round of funding will be available from 1 April to 31 May. Another round will open in the autumn.
The fund is administered for the Council by High Peak Community and Voluntary Support. Chief Executive Ross Burnage said: "We always enjoy working alongside the Council to administer this fund as we're both resolutely committed to ensuring the most sustainable future possible.
"We've received some outstanding applications which demonstrate the dedication that exists here to protecting nature and combating climate change. I'm now calling on other organisations committed to a sustainable future here in the High Peak to submit their bid for the next round of funding which opens later this year."
Published on 5 March 2026
