Government launches third sector environmental fund

The Greener Living Fund is a two-year initiative targeting third sector organisations that can deliver environmental programmes and projects on a national scale to help individuals and communities in England live more sustainably.

Launched at the same time as Defra’s third Sector Strategy and during Compact Week - celebrating 10 years of Government working closely with the third sector – the Greener Living Fund also aims to further strengthen the Government’s working relationship with the third sector.

“Defra is committed to working closely with voluntary and charitable organisations to tackle climate change and help everyone make positive environmental changes in their lifestyle – no matter how big or small,” said Environment Secretary Hilary Benn at the launch on November 4. “I hope that this fund will make a real difference to individuals, communities and projects across the country and I look forward to seeing the results.”

Although the fund will only support national-scale projects, third sector organisations will be able to partner with other charities and voluntary organisations, business and public sector organisations, including smaller regional bodies, when bidding for a share of the fund.

Successful bidders will then be able to call on Government agency the Energy Saving Trust to help deliver their Greener Living programmes and projects through various networks, and in particular, the Energy Saving Trust’s own network of advice centres and community organisations.

The bidding phase for the fund will begin this year with the main delivery phase running between April 2009 and March 2011.

Defra’s Third Sector Strategy is part of the Government’s wider commitment to working with voluntary and charitable organisations and has a particular focus on environmental work. It includes a new task group to look at ways of helping national level-third sector programmes promote environmental sustainability and a new campaign to encourage environmental volunteering to help biodiversity locally.

Commenting on the work of the third sector in promoting greener living, Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, said: “Many third sector organisations are already leading the way on ensuring that the vital work they do is sustainable. We must celebrate the third sector's commitment to sustainability and support it to do even more."

Energy and Climate Change Minister, Joan Ruddock, added: “If we want to achieve our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing a low carbon Britain, then the involvement of the third sector is absolutely vital. With around 40 per cent of emissions caused by individual choices and actions, behaviour change is crucial, and this is where third sector groups such as charities, NGOs, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and faith groups play an important role.”