Grants of up to £1,000 are now available from the Green Goals Community Fund to help support environmental projects that will benefit the local community.
Community groups, sporting associations and social clubs in Bournemouth are being encouraged to apply for grants to use during the 2014-15 football season for the benefit of individual projects which meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Improving the local environment
- Community action in green spaces
- Recycling schemes or education and awareness of recycling
- Engaging children and young people in environmental issues
- Engaging children and young people in healthy lifestyle activities
Applications will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis andwill be awarded according to need, priorities and impact. Projects must commence before the end of June 2015 and spend must be completed by the end of August 2015.
The Green Goals Project is a unique partnership between Bournemouth Council and AFC Bournemouth linking business, football, education and the local authority to raise environmental awareness, improve the quality of the local environment and benefit the community as a whole.
Georgina Fry, Waste & Resource Projects Manager, Bournemouth Council, said: “Applications are being welcomed from all kinds of community groups for grants from the Green Goals Community Fund. Last season we enabled local play groups, schools and sports clubs to achieve their community goals and we are now looking to help more people bring their environmental or sporting ideas to life.”
Some of last season’s successful projects include the ‘Secret Garden’ collaboration between Bethany School, St Clement’s Church and Urban Herbs, where school pupils have been engaged in growing food and learning about the natural environment, and ‘Grief on the Reef’, a coastline and climate change monitoring project in conjunction with UNESCO and King’s Park Primary School. The Wessex Amateur Boxing Club was also the recipient of a grant which funded the purchase of punch bags, balls, gloves and head guards to encourage children and young people in Springbourne to be active.
Rob Mitchell, Commercial Director, AFC Bournemouth and Green Goals Partner, said: “It’s so rewarding to see the impact the environmental projects make and the engagement they have with local people. Community groups need financial support to deliver these valuable initiatives and it’s fantastic that once again the Green Goals partners and Bournemouth Borough Council have made sure this funding is available.”
Projects that encourage people to walk or cycle can also apply for funding. The Green Goals Getting About Community Fund is available until December 2014 for community groups within the Borough of Bournemouth. Funding up to a maximum of £5000 can be applied for individual projects.
Projects with a chance of funding will be those that encourage people to keep fit, those that improve the local environment and those that help to make it easier for residents and visitors to choose alternatives to the car when travelling around the local area.
Applications forms and details of eligibility can be found online at www.bournemouth.gov.uk/greengoals, or by contacting Linda Maguire on 01202 451165 or by email at [email protected]
