Last chance to apply for support in environmental sustainability

Author: Nathaniel Spain

Become Green Together, the programme helping charity and voluntary sector organisations in the North East and Cumbria respond to the climate emergency, is open for its final application window.

Over 50 organisations across the North East and Cumbria are currently taking part in the programme, which provides 12 months of support in creating an environmental sustainability strategy. Participants benefit from expert guidance in creating practical targets to reducing their carbon emissions, tools for calculating their carbon footprint, and accreditation with the nationally recognised Investors in the Environment framework.

Become Green Together has helped provide tools and focus for us to take our climate action ambitions to the next level. Genee and Smart Carbon have been incredibly helpful and we feel so much more confident as to how we can move forward positively with our plan for net zero. - Meadow Well Connected

Participants learn how to reduce their energy costs, demonstrate to stakeholders that they are treating the climate crisis with the urgent action it requires, and get ahead of changes to legislation and procurement. They also gain vitally important climate action knowledge, which they can pass on to local groups. They will learn alongside a diverse range of like-minded peers, inspiring and supporting one another.

The training and guidance we have received so far has been invaluable. We are well on our way to a much more detailed breakdown of our carbon footprint than was previously available to us, and are in the process of revamping and improving our environmental policy and action plans. The knowledge we have gained will vastly change the way we look at our impact, and I can’t recommend the programme enough. - balletLORENT

All voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations in the North East and Cumbria, working in any area and of any size, are invited to apply by the 30th September, by filling out a form through the Going Green Together website.

Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund and County Durham Community Foundation supporting the Going Green Together pilot scheme, organisations can access this programme at a subsidised rate, based on the size of their organisation, with up to 75% off training costs.

County Durham Community Foundation, Tees Valley Community Foundation, and Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland have also kindly provided additional bursaries to cover the full costs of training for up to a limited number of organisations. To enquire about a bursary, email the project coordinator Nathaniel Spain at nathaniel.spain@vonne.org.uk.