£300,000 in National Lottery funding available to create a greener economy in north Lancashire
and live on Freeview channel 276
As part of this, £300,000 in grants will be available to local organisations and community groups through the Closing Loops 'Pots of Possibility' fund.
FoodFutures, north Lancashire’s sustainable food network, launched the Closing Loops project in 2022 to help stimulate a thriving, regenerative local economy by supporting community-led action and local initiatives that transform waste into a valuable resource.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe project looks to support the transition to a more regenerative economy where people, the environment, materials and resources are valued. In a regenerative economy, local enterprises, organisations and people actively contribute to the health and wellbeing of their communities and the environment – putting life, health and wellbeing at the heart of every decision.
The money will enable community organisations, charities, social enterprises and others, to develop creative ideas in any of the following areas:
*Growing, cooking and eating local, seasonal and sustainable food.
*Initiatives that inspire people around sustainable consumption and zero waste practices.
*Initiatives around composting.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad*Regenerative enterprises or initiatives for materials currently going to waste (for instance food, textiles, packaging, electronics and more)- with a focus on reducing consumption or reusing and repurposing of materials.
*Regenerative enterprises or initiatives that enable the sharing and repurposing of resources (tools, materials, spaces and skills) within local communities.
The ‘Pots of Possibility’ scheme will offer two different granting opportunities:
*Community Pots - Grants of up to £5,000 to support pilot projects, test the feasibility of new ideas and support community projects.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad*REconomy Pots - Grants of up to £10,000 awarded to grow ideas and scale up pilots that contribute to an ecosystem of regenerative initiatives and enterprises locally. The REconomy pots will be awarded through a participatory budgeting approach, which transfers considerable decision-making power to local communities and grant applicants.
The first round of Community Pots is now open, offering grants of between £1,000 to £5,000 to help get ideas off the ground. To find out more about the Pots of Possibility fund visit www.foodfutures.org.uk/pots-of-possibility/
For inspiration and to learn more about how their ideas might contribute to a local regenerative economy, organisations and individuals can read the Spring 2023 edition of THRIVE: North Lancashire’s Community Food Magazine. THRIVE is available online from www.foodfutures.org.uk/about-us/magazine/
Rachel Marshall, Closing Loops project coordinator at LESS, said: “It’s time to imagine and build a different type of economy, one that repairs, restores and regenerates the health of our environment and of our communities. The Closing Loops project is looking to create the conditions that allow for a more regenerative economy to emerge in North Lancashire.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“There’s lots of fantastic ideas across our local communities, ranging from communities developing places to share tools, seeds, surplus food and more, through to local enterprises looking at how their business models could be adapted to put social and environmental regeneration at their core. The ‘Pots of Possibility’ funding will support people in developing ideas, big or small, that address the fundamental things we need for a healthier, happier planet and society.”