Funding now open for community projects tackling the climate emergency
Cheshire West Crowd has local community projects live and fundraising — and there is a special call for ideas that help tackle climate change.
Launched by Cheshire West and Chester Council in March, this is the seventh funding round since 2021. Over that time, 207 community projects have successfully raised more than £3 million, backed by over 11,000 supporters across the borough.
Delivered in partnership with Spacehive, Cheshire West Crowd puts communities in the driving seat — helping local people turn great ideas into reality and making our borough more vibrant, resilient and connected.
Climate Change Emergency Fund – £71,921 available
The Climate Change Emergency Fund is open, with individual project pledges likely to be between £5,000 and £10,000. The fund provides capital investment for initiatives that deliver measurable carbon savings and help address the climate emergency.
By working with communities and businesses, the fund supports projects that reduce our carbon footprint and protect the borough for future generations. This is a chance to create lasting positive change — more active travel, warmer homes, cleaner air or smarter use of resources.
Priority areas
Funding is available for projects focused on:
- Energy
- Transport
- Housing
- Land use
- Waste and recycling
Example project ideas include:
- Renewable energy projects
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Heat pump installations
- Zero or low‑carbon transport initiatives
- Waste reduction schemes
- Natural capital and environmental projects
Free expert support available
Project creators applying for Climate Change funding are encouraged to access free professional advice before submitting their idea onto the Cheshire West Crowd platform.
If you’ve got an idea you’d like to explore, email: climatechange3@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk to start the conversation today. The Council’s Climate Change Team can offer expert guidance, help refine your proposal, and signpost you to additional funding opportunities.
An online workshop will be held on 10 September at 12 noon, providing an opportunity for potential project creators to find out more about Cheshire West Crowd and hear how previous projects have benefited from the initiative.
To register for the workshop, visit: Cheshire West and Chester - Project Creator Workshop Tickets, Thursday 10 September • 12 PM - 1 PM GMT+1 | Eventbrite
Video case study of Upton by Chester Scout
1st Upton by Chester scout group have benefited from having solar panels fitted on their community building thanks to funding through Cheshire West Crowd, the Council’s crowd funding platform.
The solar PV system is helping the group make savings that they can then invest in equipment and opportunities for the scouts. Their members are also using the data from the to learn more about environmental issues and sustainable solutions.
