Cornwall Climate and Nature Fund
Eligibility criteria
Version dated: 15.04.26
Overview
If your idea or project meets the criteria you can apply for a grant to match fund up to 50% of costs, up to £5,000 although for exceptional projects that could offer a larger impact, we may offer grants of up to £15,000.
Cornwall Climate and Nature Fund grants will be allocated once the applicant has reached 25% of their target from a minimum of 25 unique backers.
We accept applications from all sectors, however projects which show a strong community impact and promote public access will be prioritised. All project applications will be judged on merit.
Eligible Themes
Your project will support one or more of the following themes:
Helping Our Climate Emergency Response
Reducing carbon emissions from homes, communities, the workplace and travel
Promoting low carbon choices and behaviour change
Creating new opportunities for renewable energy
Helping communities become resilient to a changing climate
Promoting the removal of carbon from the atmosphere through nature-based solutions - for example habitat restoration and tree planting
Promoting Nature Recovery
Converting or restoring community greenspace to wildlife habitat
Environmental improvements to a community centre or village hall grounds
Coastal and marine projects
Local wildlife training and monitoring schemes
Reduction of invasive species, litter, noise or light pollution in the environment
Initiatives to help local people to connect with their environment
Activities which encourage people to grow nature and increase the public understanding and enjoyment of wildlife and heritage
Tree Planting Projects
Tree planting projects are eligible for the Climate and Nature Fund applications. These are administered through the Forest for Cornwall team and are subject to the following additional eligibility criteria:
Projects must deliver a clear and long-lasting natural climate solution in the form of increased canopy cover and agree to longer term management and watering of not less than 5 years
Project owners must have the landowner's permission where applicable before your application can be approved
Projects who wish to contact the Forest for Cornwall team for advice can do so through [email protected]
Ineligible Expenditure
The funds cannot be spent on:
Retrospective funding to fill funding gaps not identified before the project starts
Salary or routine administration costs
Political activities, lobbying or campaigning
Projects which in the assessment of Cornwall Council show actual or potential unlawful discrimination within the terms of the Equality Act 2010
Statutory activities/requirements
Hospitality (catering and refreshment costs)
Contributions in kind through volunteer time
Clothing/Uniform for the sole use of an individual
Funding for projects not delivered in Cornwall
Successful Applicant Obligations
Successful applicants will be expected to:
Produce a brief final project summary (a simple template will be provided)
Produce evidence of eligible expenditure if requested, e.g., receipts, quotations
Contribute to news stories about the project as requested
Match Funding Criteria
If your application is approved, you'll be offered match funding of up to 50% towards your initial crowdfunding target, up to a maximum of £5,000.
Following approval for funding, if you wish to make any changes to your campaign target, or any significant changes to your rewards or other page content you must notify us.
To secure a pledge from the Fund, you will need to do the following:
Apply to, and be approved for, the Fund
Receive a provisional pledge from the Fund, by reaching at least 25% of your fundraising target from a minimum number of 25 unique supporters
Receive the Fund pledge by reaching at least 100% of your fundraising target
The provisional pledge which will be for up to 50% of your target (up to £5,000) will be made on to your crowdfunding campaign once you have raised at least 25% of your initial target from the required number of unique supporters and will count towards your target. This means in most cases the campaign will then be at 75%. You must then raise the remaining 25% from your crowd, to achieve 100% of your funding target and receive the Cornwall Council Climate & Nature Funds.
Please read the terms and conditions here.