Community Climate Fund 2026 (Up to £5,000 for Local Climate Projects in the UK)

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026

The Community Climate Fund 2026 is a practical local grant for community groups and non-profit organisations with ideas that can reduce emissions and improve environmental outcomes in the Horsham District. With funding of up to £5,000, the scheme supports projects that move beyond awareness and into visible action, from energy-saving upgrades to biodiversity and transport solutions.

Quick Facts

About the Opportunity

Some grants are built for paperwork. This one is built for projects people can actually see, use, and benefit from.

The Community Climate Fund 2026 is run by Horsham District Council to help local groups take climate ideas off the page and into their communities. The fund is designed for non-profit and community-led organisations working on practical solutions that support a net-zero district, while also creating local value through education, wellbeing, participation, and long-term change.

Projects can fall under six priority areas: carbon emissions, energy, water, waste, biodiversity, and transport. That means the grant is broad enough to support very different ideas—whether it is a low-carbon energy upgrade, a community repair or reuse initiative, flood resilience work, wildlife restoration, or a local transport project that encourages walking and cycling.

Funding is available through two strands: Grassroots grants of up to £1,000 and Small grants of up to £5,000. For larger projects, applicants can still be considered if they show how the remaining costs will be financed. Projects costing between £5,000 and £10,000 may receive up to 50% of the total project cost through the fund.

What makes this fund especially useful is that applicants are encouraged to speak with the council team before submitting. That support includes guidance such as carbon calculations and general application advice, which can make a real difference for smaller groups trying to put together a strong case.

This opportunity is officially offered by Horsham District Council, and applicants should apply through the official application portal.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Community Climate Fund 2026, applicants should generally meet the following conditions:

• You must be a local voluntary, community, or not-for-profit organisation
• Your organisation should be based in the Horsham District, or mainly benefit residents in the district
• The project should be a new initiative that contributes to at least one climate or environmental priority area
• Your organisation should have a proper constitution or governing document
• You must have a bank account in the organisation’s name
• The account should have at least two unrelated signatories
• Your project should be inclusive and not unfairly exclude participants
• Membership or participation costs should be reasonably affordable
• Your organisation may need key policies such as:
  • Safeguarding
  • Equal opportunities
  • Insurance
  • Health and safety (where relevant)
• Projects that promote specific political or religious views are not supported

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Benefits

The value of this grant is not only financial. It also gives community organisations a clearer path to turning local environmental ideas into funded, measurable action.

Financial Benefits

• Grassroots grant of up to £1,000
• Small grant of up to £5,000
• Support for projects with higher total costs through a match-funding structure
• Possibility of funding for practical climate-related infrastructure or community initiatives

Practical & Strategic Benefits

• Free pre-application guidance
• Help with carbon calculations
• Opportunity to align your project with recognised local climate priorities
• Stronger credibility for organisations building future funding records
• A chance to deliver a visible local impact in areas such as energy, transport, biodiversity, or waste reduction

Who Should Apply

This grant is a strong fit for community groups that already have a real local problem in mind and want the resources to solve it properly.

That could include charities, volunteer-led organisations, neighbourhood groups, schools, social enterprises, parish-level initiatives, or community organisations that want to improve how people live while also cutting environmental harm. If your idea can create both climate benefit and community value, then this fund is worth serious consideration.

It is especially suitable for applicants who are not just trying to “raise awareness,” but who want to implement something practical, something that changes how a building runs, how people travel, how waste is handled, or how green spaces are restored.

Application Process

Use this simple process to prepare a stronger application:

1. Check your project fit
   Make sure your idea clearly connects to one or more of the six funding categories.
2. Review your organisation’s documents
   Gather your:
   • Constitution or governing document
   • Recent bank statement
   • Last two years’ accounts or income/expenditure records
3. Contact the fund team before applying
   Horsham District Council encourages applicants to discuss ideas in advance. This can help you improve your proposal and avoid weak submissions.
4. Prepare your answers in advance
   The online form must be completed in one session, so it is smart to draft your responses first. A Word version can be requested by email for planning purposes.
5. Submit during an open funding window
   The fund accepts applications in scheduled rounds during the year.

How To Apply

If your organisation has a climate-focused project that could genuinely improve local life, this is the kind of grant that rewards clarity and practical thinking. Keep your proposal specific, measurable, and rooted in what your community actually needs.

Click Here To Apply