Climate microgrant applications open to schools

Are you part of a school that is keen to go green but that needs a funding boost to make your project a reality?

Wandsworth's Climate Action Microgrants programme is open to schools - with the next round of applications welcomed until 24 October.

Forest school sessions, gardening kit, eco club support and even a mud kitchen are just some of the projects funded so far by the scheme.

Whether you're a primary or a secondary school, schools can receive a cash injection from £100 to £500 for projects focused on climate change and sustainability.

Paul White, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "Wandsworth's Climate Action Microgrants programme is a fantastic opportunity for schools to share their exciting projects that engage pupils in making a difference to the climate.

"We can't wait to hear from you and learn more about your brilliant initiatives that embrace sustainable living and help children understand and explore themes around climate action, whether it's encouraging biodiversity, reducing waste, improving the air we breathe, or learning about local food production."

Apply for a School Climate Action Microgrant here.

School club successes

Fresh air, gardening skills and healthy eating have brought pupils together after they benefitted from funding from Wandsworth's School Climate Action Microgrants scheme.

"We are super pleased to have the climate action microgrant because it's going to help us absolutely grow exponentially," explained Ark Putney Academy teacher Sukhi Singh, who helps run a gardening club at the secondary school.

The school used its grant to buy a water bowser to allow pupils to bring water to their raised beds more easily as part of tending to plants including strawberries, pumpkins and flowers.

"Coming to gardening club helps me improve my nature skills, like how to care for plants," said Year 8 pupil Corin.

For the pupils at Sacred Heart RC Primary School in Battersea, their weekly eco club is a fun combination of gardening and cooking - with homegrown produce used to make soups, salads and cakes to enjoy together.

"Eco club is the best club to go to because you can do watering, planting and cooking all kinds of food," said 11-year-old Ronnie.

The school used its grant to buy a greenhouse to help with growing fresh vegetables, as well as a set of shelves for the club's plants to be arranged and get plenty of sunlight.

Read about some more of the climate action microgrant school projects funded so far.

How do I apply?

It's easy to apply for a Climate Action Microgrant to support your brilliant ideas for projects around climate change and sustainability.

We're looking for projects that engage pupils about the environment, help reduce pollution and improve air quality, encourage sustainable skills such as repair, upcycling, and energy saving, improve biodiversity and local natural conservation and help people and nature adapt to climate change.

You can submit your project through our online application form, or share a spoken video application with us by emailing [email protected].

Climate Action Microgrants are awarded through the year, with upcoming deadlines on 24 October and 13 February for schools to apply for funding, or on 28 November and 30 January for community groups, individuals and non-profit organisations.

We helped directly fund 15 of this year's Sustainable September events through our Climate Action Microgrants programme.

Sophia Dyson, Deputy Youth Mayor for Wandsworth, explained: "These microgrants are part of a wider programme across Wandsworth to cut emissions and build greener, more sustainable communities.

"By leading or co-designing projects, young people in Wandsworth can set the tone for climate action at their schools and beyond. Now is the time for schools to seize this opportunity and secure funding that could bring lasting environmental change to their grounds and local neighbourhoods."

For more information on upcoming sustainability initiatives, please subscribe to our monthly Climate Newsletter.