Over £360,000 to be handed out to decarbonise South Cambridgeshire villages

A Net Zero Villages Grant Scheme, offering a total funding pot of £362,547, has been launched by South Cambridgeshire District Council to help rural communities become low carbon, more sustainable and more resilient to the effects of climate change.

The initiative, funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, provides grants ranging from £20,000 to £100,000 to support transformative, community-led projects.

With climate change at the forefront of global and local concerns, this grant scheme is designed to support the district’s villages in taking meaningful steps towards reaching net zero and securing a more sustainable future.

The Net Zero Villages scheme will fund capital projects under the following themes:

• Energy Efficiency and Generation – Examples include installing insulation, LED lighting, solar panels, wind turbines, or battery storage for renewable energy.
• Low Carbon Transport – Initiatives such as community-run electric shuttle buses or other sustainable transport solutions.
• Nature-Based Solutions – Projects like green roofs, walls, or tree planting to cool and enhance community spaces.

Eligible projects must improve community assets and reduce carbon emissions, such as retrofitting village halls, enhancing public transport access, or implementing green infrastructure.

The grant is open to community groups, parish councils, and rural businesses across South Cambridgeshire. Eligible areas include villages outside the Cambridge built-up area. See map for details. Unfortunately, more urban areas such as Milton, Histon, Impington, and Teversham are not eligible for this funding.

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “I’m glad to see this funding available to support villages in the region for common-sense initiatives that will help us to lower carbon and secure a more sustainable future.”

Cllr Brian Milnes, Lead Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to transform our district’s villages into greener, cleaner, and more sustainable communities. By securing funding through this scheme, you can make a lasting impact and invest in the future of your community. Let’s work together to take a significant step toward achieving a Net Zero future for South Cambridgeshire.”

Find out More

The Council is hosting an information session and application workshop on Wednesday 18 December, 7pm – 8:30pm. You can also book a 20 minute slot with an officer on Friday 20 December between 9am and 4pm. Email climateandenvironment@scambs.gov.uk to sign up for the workshop, or to book a slot.

Deadline

Applications are now open and must be submitted by 11:59pm on Sunday, 26 January 2025. Detailed eligibility criteria and application guidance can be found in the Grant Criteria and Guidance document, available here: www.scambs.gov.uk/net-zero-villages-grant

For further details or to discuss your project ideas, contact the Climate and Environment team at climateandenvironment@scambs.gov.uk