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Welcome to the Going Green Together newsletter from VONNE. VONNE is the regional support body for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in the North East. If you have any content you'd like to share in future editions of this newsletter, please get in touch.
Going Green Together monthly newsletter. Includes graphics of trees and a wind turbine.
 
Online Launch Events this Autumn
 

Our launch continues with two more online opportunities to find out about Going Green Together and how to get involved. 

 

Northumberland Online Launch Event 

Thursday 25th of September 10am-11:30am

 

Tees Valley Online Launch Event 

Thursday 2nd of October 10am-11:30am

 

Learn more about our free programme of environmental support and hear from our partners and past participants. Whilst these events have an area focus, everyone is welcome. 
Going Green Together Launch Events - Northumberland and Tees Valley
Register your place

P.s. Going Green Together applications are open and organisations are signing up thick and fast, to book your place - join today! 
 
Other News and Opportunities
New sculpture celebrates Tynemouth's cycling heritage 

North East sculptor, Ray Lonsdale, has created a giant steel bench attached to a bicycle sculpture to mark the 30 year history of the converging cycle paths at Tynemouth Seafront. The artwork at the mouth of the Tyne celebrates the six long distance cycle paths that are part of the the National Cycle Network, attracting thousands of visitors to the area every year. 
Find out more about the sculpture
Bookings open for the Green Table
 

The Green Table are a series of local events, supporting climate action in rural Northumberland. They are a chance to talk about renewable energy projects, learn from others, get help and advice and build local connections. Their aim is to strengthen the ability of rural communities to respond to the climate emergency and create a more resilient, low-carbon future. 
 
Book your place
Rolling green hills with wind turbines across them, the text placed in front reads 'New plan to kickstart onshore wind revolution
New plan to dramatically increase onshore wind

An onshore wind strategy has been  published by the government as part of a mission to become a clean energy superpower. It hopes to accelerate the amount of clean homegrown energy over the second half of this decade. 
Read the article
Community garden looking for help
 

Quaking Houses Village Hall is growing something special - a Community Garden - and they’d love your help! 

Whether you’ve got green fingers or are just keen to get stuck in, all skills are welcome and appreciated. It’s a great way to meet new people and learn something new in your community.

Quaking Houses Village Hall - Stanley 

Every Friday 10:30am - 12
 
More information here
Mayor invests £700k for 24 schools in the region to install solar panels

The money to be invested in schools across Northumberland and Sunderland comes through GB Energy’s Mayoral Renewables Fund. The energy saved by the schools will amount to 85 tonnes of CO2 each year - the same as that used by 150 homes - plus financial savings of up to £100K every year.
Read more here
Company launches eco-bricks that 'absorb carbon'
 

A start-up company in Sheffield has launched environmentally-friendly bricks which absorb and permanently store greenhouse gases.

Materials developer earth4Earth, based at Sheffield Technology Parks, said the bricks capture carbon dioxide from the air around them but are also manufactured using methods which do not produce it.

The first batch is now being used in pilot projects across Sheffield.
 
Read the article
Three recycling workers standing with their hands wide next to many electrical items spelling out the word 'THANKS'.
North Tyneside initiative for doorstep small electrical recycling

A new initiative is being trialled by North Tyneside Council. Residents can now request free collection of up to five broken or unwanted small electrical items. The electricals will either be fixed or recycled, redistributing them back into the community.
Read more about the initiative
Young Rewilders Networking Group
 

The Young Rewilders Networking Group is available for young people aged 18-30 to join and is a secure area within the North East Rewilding Network where young rewilders can connect and network.

The project runs for 12 months and looks to engage, encourage and inspire more young people to take community rewilding action.
 
Find out more about this opportunity
 
Events
Centre for Sustainable Energy logo
Autumn Webinars from the Energy Learning Network

Tuesday 9th September 10.30am - 12 - Online

The National Lottery Energy Learning Network is hosting a series of free webinars aimed at VCSE sector, covering energy efficiency in community buildings, and what the options are for local organisations.
Book your place
A cartoon of serveral people having conversations with wind turbines and solar panels in the background
Community energy online workshops

Dates between 10th -31st of September - Online 

The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub is launching a new package of free support for community groups developing local energy projects.The programme consists of a series of five training workshops plus one to one support.
Book your workshop place
A cartoon of a bundle of houses with solar panels on their roofs
Northern Powergrid Community Energy Forum

Thursday 11th September - 10am-3pm - Van Mildert College, Durham University

Join Northern Powergrid for one of thier Community Energy Forums – a day dedicated to connection, collaboration, and action. These events bring together individuals and organisations passionate about local energy to share ideas, build partnerships, and influence the future of community energy in our region.
Get your ticket
Community Action Northumberland Logo
Northumberland Community Energy Roadshow 

Wednesday 15th October - 11am-1pm OR 1:15-3:30pm - Cheviot Centre, Wooler

Join Community Action Northumberland for a cuppa and cake while discovering how CAN and NCEL (Northumberland Community Energy Ltd) are helping communities reduce energy use and cut carbon emissions.
Register your free place
Poster showing a drawing of a tent and trees with the title 'From gardens to gatherings'
From Gardens to Gatherings

Sunday 21st - 11am - 4pm - Saltwell Park

No booking required

This event hopes to celebrate Gateshead's growing community food movement. It will showcase the power of food to connect people across cultures and backgrounds, reduce inequality and improve wellbeing, enhance our environment, and support sustainable local economies.
More Information 
An illustrations of a stack of colourful books with houseplants
Climate Action Wansbeck Reading group

First Tuesday of each month - 7pm - Morpeth Library

This September the group is chatting about Land Smart by Tom Heap - or a discussion about the book on the Fully Charged podcast, which ever you find easiest to access. 
More information 
 
 
Upcoming Climate Campaigns
A rail with hanging colourful tshirts on it
Secondhand September

All month
Find out more
South Shields Beach with people playing on it on a sunny day
The Great British Beach Clean

19th-28th of September
Find out more
Low Force waterfall in full speight
World Rivers Day

28th of September
Find out more
 
 
Environmental funding
 
Energy Learning Network 
 

£3000 – Deadline 12noon - 15th September

Supporting projects that seek to share knowledge between multiple community energy organisations across a geography of your choice.
Those who receive funding will have one year to spend it, and will need to engage with a brief Energy Learning Network evaluation survey.
 
Find out more
Stobart Sustainability Fund
 

Rolling deadline with varying funds

This fund supports community-led sustainability projects and initiatives led by non-profit organisations, community groups and educational facilities to help them transform their local community through projects that tackle climate change and enhance the environment.
 
Apply Here
Citizens Advice - Energy Outreach Project Funding
 

£300 - £15,000 – No deadline with response within 6 weeks

Citizens Advice are advertising for new delivery partners in the North East to apply for Energy Outreach Projects Champion Funding, for delivery between the 01 June 2025 and 31 March 2026.

Participating organisations will receive £35.00 for each consumer they advise. For example, a target of 100 consumers would result in a payment of £3,500. Each organisation will be asked to deliver a set target.
 
Find out more
Northern Powergrid Fund
 

Up to £5K - Deadline 22nd September 2025

Supporting grassroots projects that strengthen vulnerable communities, including environmental activities and out of school educational activities in Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland
 
Apply here
 
Get involved

Join Going Green Together today – to learn, take your first steps in climate action, and share your successes with the community to help inspire others. Connect with us and others by joining our network.

Going Green Together is a VONNE Climate Action Alliance initiative hosted by VONNE. Registered Company in England Number: 4061592. Registered Charity Number: 1084083
 

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