Cumbria CVS Green blog No 15 – May 2025
May 13, 2025
Welcome back to Cumbria CVS Green!
In our fifteenth blog post Emily Wilson, our new South Lakes & Furness Development Officer, introduces herself and shares details of funding available for projects focused on community development, environmental sustainability, education, and social inclusion.
If you have any suggestions about what you’d like to see in our regular updates, let us know! Contact us by emailing info@cumbriacvs.org.uk
You can find our what we’re doing to minimise our environmental impact and find details of organisations supporting positive environmental action in Cumbria on our Climate Commitment page here
Catch up on our other blog posts here
From £500 to £50,000! Funding for South Lakes and Furness environmental & sustainability projects
Hello everyone,
I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Development Officer for South Lakes & Furness at Cumbria CVS! As part of my role, I’ll be working across the region to support community initiatives, providing guidance on funding opportunities, and helping organisations maximize their impact.
One key resource available to local projects is the Walney Extension Community Fund, provided by Ørsted. This fund offers grants from £500 to £50,000, contributing up to £600,000 annually to support initiatives in South Lakes, Furness, and surrounding coastal communities. Funding is available for projects focused on community development, environmental sustainability, education, and social inclusion.
🌱 Environmental & Sustainability Policy: A Key Consideration
Sustainability and environmental policies play a crucial role in ensuring long-term benefits for communities and ecosystems. Organisations applying for funding should consider how their projects align with global sustainability goals, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, the fund supports initiatives that contribute to:
✔ SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Projects enhancing infrastructure, green spaces, and local resilience.
✔ SDG 13 – Climate Action: Initiatives reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainability.
✔ SDG 15 – Life on Land: Conservation efforts, biodiversity protection, and responsible land use.
By integrating sustainability principles into project planning, applicants can demonstrate their commitment to environmental resilience and long-term community impact—both of which are highly valued in the funding process.
Organisations within these regions are encouraged to apply, with upcoming deadlines on 2 July 2025 and 9 January 2026. For further details and application guidance, feel free to reach out to me at emily.wilson@cumbriacvs.org.uk.
I look forward to working with you all and supporting valuable community projects in South Lakes & Furness!
Training and Events
Cumbria Sustainability Network | Citizen Influence: Shaping local climate and nature policies
Saturday 17th May, Carlisle. How do we get our voices heard and ensure that planners and policy-makers understand our concerns about the future for climate and nature?
Find out more about the recommendations from the Cumbria Climate Assembly and gain practical tools for getting your voice heard.
The event will profile the recommendations of the first Cumbria Climate Assembly which has brought together a diverse group of 40 randomly selected people from across the county to answer the question: ‘Many people in Cumbria feel unheard and unable to influence those who make decisions on climate change action. What can be done about this?’
Exploring the Fruits
Sat 7 June, Windermere. Kick off Great Big Green Week and celebrate nature, community climate action and growing.
Recycling at Home
Wed 18 June, Online. Find out about recycling at home, why it matters and the difference it makes.
Climate & Carbon Literacy
25 June & 2 July, Online. An in-depth look into the causes of climate change. Get a clear understanding of climate science, and the impacts of daily activities with our accredited course.
Electric Vehicles
Mon 14 July, Online. This free webinar will introduce electric vehicles (EV), benefits and considerations.
News and Information
Ten tips to encourage green remote working
Many charities are working hard to reduce their carbon footprint. But with the rise of remote working, how can you support your team to work sustainably when they’re in their own homes?
