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Lancaster Uni Community Benefits Fund open for bids for sustainable projects

Lancaster University's Community Benefits Fund is open for bids for local sustainable projects.

The fund originated with the installation of Lancaster University's wind turbine in 2012. The wind turbine produces around 15% of the overall energy demand on campus each year and the Community Benefits Fund uses some of that benefit to engage with the local community and promote sustainable ideas.

Each year, the fund allocates up to £20,000 to local organisations, charities, trusts and community groups to support sustainable projects, large and small.

The funding really makes a difference to the local area, whether that's through funding new charging points for electric vehicles or contributing towards refurbishment projects to improve energy efficiency, the projects funded vary in complexity and value.

£200,000 has been awarded in community project funding since the Community Benefit Fund conception.

Jon Mills, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Lancaster University, said: ‘’Applications flooded in this year, meaning we have had to be selective of the projects awarded funding.

‘’The quality of the applications received was high making selection challenging.’’

Recent successful recipients include:

Fairfield Nature Reserve: A project to install benches along the new Pony Wood path, part of the Fauna and Flora Nature Reserve.

Stodday picnic area: A new picnic table, benches, resurfacing of the ground surface and boundary, and control of the vegetation at Stodday picnic area on Lune cycle path.

Moorside School: Funding towards the construction of a sustainable living and learning space for children who require additional teaching at a level specific to them.

Scotch Quarry Community Park: Funding towards planting and upkeep of a hazel coppice at Scotch Quarry Community Park in Lancaster City Centre.

Greaves Park: A project to create a tree trail in Greaves Park through identifying the native and unusual non-native trees with a series of signs and labels.

For more information on the fund, CLICK HERE

The closing date for applications is the end of June, with successful recipients announced in August.

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