The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has launched a new Fund which will provide seed funding for third sector organisations to put in place projects designed to encourage and enable individuals and communities to adopt more sustainable behaviours to 2012 and beyond – using the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games as a way of reaching hard to engage groups.
Non-governmental or non-commercial, value-driven organisations that principally reinvest any financial surpluses to further social, environmental or cultural objectives are eligible to apply.
Projects should use the seed corn funding to start delivery and build their capacity to put in place activities that should be operational in the run up to the London 2012 Games and beyond. The activities can take place anywhere in UK and potentially catalyse sustainable behaviours, under one or more of the following themes:
- Active travel (walking and cycling more)
- Sustainable consumption – eg eco products or local and seasonal food
- Greener gardens/local areas
- More efficient resource use – particularly energy and water
- Waste less – recycle more
Proposals must be directly related to, and use the inspiration of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to encourage people to change their environmental behaviour. This does not necessarily mean that projects need to be sports related.
The minimum award will be £100,000 (with a maximum award of £200,000). It is expected that between four and eight separate projects will be funded.
The closing date for the first phase is 21 May 2010.
Applicants will know if they have been shortlisted by July 2010.