Devon County Council and Crowdfunder have teamed up to support projects who are tackling the climate emergency in an aim to #BackTheFuture.
On the 8 July, 3 incredible projects went head to head in an exciting 24 hour live crowdfunding competition to win a share of £10,000.
The finalists
1st place: £5,000
By opening the Sustainability Hub in the centre of Tiverton, we will demonstrate the reality of the climate and ecological emergency and the need for an urgent and effective response. We will support the community to take action, enable volunteer-led projects to get started, and provide a base for agencies and businesses promoting sustainability and resilience. The hub will be a place to share ideas, learn new skills, and get involved, playing a vital role in bringing the Devon Carbon Plan alive in Tiverton.
2nd place: £3,000
Set up by a group of volunteers, the Earth Repair Shop is a community climate change advice centre in Ilfracombe. Our aim is to help families to live more sustainable lives. This could be by saving money while reducing household heating costs and carbon emissions, learning about effective waste and recycling, and about growing-your-own. With our premises secured, we now need to raise the funds to assist with running costs and expenses.
3rd place: £2,000
Through the Greenway Project, we aim to extend the Wray Valley Multi Use Trail beyond Moretonhampstead to Chagford and then onwards to the new railway station at Okehampton Parkway. This link will help to reduce the dependence on cars across the area, encouraging green exercise and carbon reduction. We need to fund the planning and design elements of this project.
With a heart full of ambition to create change and a head full of opportunities to do so, Jess knows a thing or two when it comes to making waves. Her mission is to inspire conversations that lead to widespread transformations.
“I am so excited to host this #BackTheFuture LIVE event! There is a real buzz from a community that comes together to support such inspiring ideas that can make real change”.
Councillor Andrea Davis has been a Devon County Councillor for 16 years, representing the beautiful rural area of Combe Martin. She is also the Chairman of National Parks England Health and Wellbeing group, and the Deputy Chairman of the Exmoor National Park authority.
Jay is a co-founder of the Totnes REconomy Project, Local Spark Torbay and a lecturer on postgraduate economics programmes at Schumacher College. Hailing from the USA, he was previously based in Silicon Valley as an entrepreneur and consultant in the ‘green business movement’ before relocating to the UK.
Rob is the CEO of Smarter Carbon, Commercial Lead for the Biosphere Foundation and a board member of One Northern Devon. He’s taken a range of startup businesses from modest beginnings through to turning over £15m+, and now wants to focus his commercial skills on environmental challenges.