Apply for a Free Grant from the New Local Environment Action Fund

You and your community can now access free council grants worth up to £7,500 per year to install local level steps to mitigate climate change and make your neighbourhood a better place to live.

The Local Environment Action Fund (LEAF) comes with steps to make the process of applying for the funds easier for both residents and community groups. The scheme is made possible by funds from planning gain funds.

This grant scheme is aimed at small scale projects, which could be related to cycling, planting, water conservation, or energy saving, for example, and can have everyday benefits for those who live in the town. Each of the 13 wards or neighbourhoods in Stevenage is allocated £7,500 and applications can be made either by individuals or groups and must be used for something fixed and tangible. The scheme can't fund for example ongoing costs or publicity of supported projects.

The simplified scheme means that individuals and groups can take proposals for projects from £250 upwards directly to their ward councillors for support. The councillor will then review the projects and act as a champion for them (if they meet the criteria) for council funding. Applications will then be reviewed by officers and if, agreed, will be awarded the grants subject to public feedback.

There is no deadline for funding applications as the scheme runs on a rolling basis year to year.

Councillor Rob Broom, Cabinet member for Environment, Transport and Planning said:

"The relaunch and simplification of our climate change action grant scheme is great news for residents and community groups in Stevenage.

"This is a good opportunity to improve our environment and make our town a greener and better place to live, and I urge anyone who has an idea of something that can help address climate change and enhance their local area in their ward to come forward and speak to your local councillor to make it a reality; don’t let this opportunity go to waste."

The changes to the scheme are also aimed to ensure the full level of annual funding of £97,500 across all 13 wards is used and helps make Stevenage a greener place to live.

To find out how to apply for the Local Environment Action Fund in your ward of Stevenage, visit the Local Environment Action Fund (LEAF) page.

To find your local ward councillor, please visit our Democracy site.

For press enquiries contact Corporate Communications on 01438 242168.