02 Dec 2022
Friends of the Earth is extremely grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for supporting our local action group fund.
Local action group fund
Raising money is part of running a local action group. To help with this the local action group fund is open to all licensed Friends of the Earth groups and networks. If you're considering applying for a grant from the fund, please read the FAQs below before downloading the application form. It's also a good idea to notify your regional staff and get in touch with us first to make sure your application is on the right track.
Once you have completed the application form, please email it to us.
Frequently ask questions
Who can apply?
The local action group fund is open to all licensed Friends of the Earth groups and networks. It's intended to provide financial support that can make a real difference, either by building and developing your group or by achieving a demonstrable positive impact on nature, the climate and/or environmental justice.
How often can a group apply?
You can submit separate applications for a total of £800 per financial year (July-June).
What do we need to include in our application?
The application form must be completed in its entirety. Be prepared to provide the following information:
- A clear objective that demonstrates benefits to your local community, nature, climate and/or Friends of the Earth campaigns.
- Plan and timescale for meeting the objective.
- A costing for the project.
- How you will measure the impact of your project, eg. by recruiting new activists
Your groups will also be required to submit an additional simple evaluation form upon spending an awarded grant. If information is missing or vague then it is less likely that your group will be awarded a grant. Your groups will also be required to submit an additional simple evaluation form upon spending an awarded grant.
Can we apply for a grant retrospectively?
Grants must not be applied for retrospectively except in an emergency. When there's an urgent and compelling reason for financial assistance which couldn't have been foreseen, we're able to issue grants at short notice.
What happens after we submit our application?
The Campaign Activism team will consider your application. We aim to inform you by email of the outcome within 2 weeks of receiving your application.
How likely are we to receive the grant?
Grants will normally be awarded for standalone campaign projects or to support group health development and growth within your community. This could include recruitment initiatives, promotional materials for an event, equipment for an action, venue hire, celebration of campaign successes.
Grants will not be awarded for everyday group running costs (eg. phone bills, internet connection, basic stationary costs), or ongoing funding needs.
Please note: preference will be given to groups who can demonstrate a genuine commitment to building long-term grassroots power by engaging and building relationships with wider communities, and groups that find part funding for the purpose of their application from group funds, fundraising or external sources.
Why do we need to fill out an evaluation form?
If your application is successful you'll receive a confirmation letter with payment details. Please complete the enclosed evaluation form. There are 5 reasons for this:
- To celebrate your work across our local action group network, Friends of the Earth supporters and wider audience.
- To learn from your work.
- To inform us of the impact of your activities.
- To help us give advice to other groups planning similar work.
- To inform future applications you make.
Partnership fund
About the Partnerships fund
We’re committed to building and nurturing strong partnerships with organisations and networks across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We know that by listening to and working with groups not traditionally represented in the environment and climate movement, we can collectively create campaigns and solutions that help more people, as well as have more impact with decision makers.
We’re offering the Partnership Fund to groups in our network and organisations that build partnerships with organisations who work with, represent and are led by: Communities disproportionately affected by environmental degradation now and in the future. For example, groups impacted by air pollution in cities, or young people or people of colour facing future climate breakdown.
Those already marginalised in society as identified by the Index of Multiple Deprivation. If you’re looking for resources to help identify communities to build partnerships, check out Local Trusts reports on communities left behind.
- Communities that could be significantly impacted because of job losses from a transition done badly, such as farmers, employees in carbon intensive industries like mining or diesel and petrol car manufacturing.
- International communities that are significantly harmed because of historical and current UK pollution, consumption of resources and foreign policy, such as indigenous groups.
Once you have completed the application form, please email it to us.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply?
The Partnership Fund is open to all registered Friends of the Earth local action groups. It’s intended to provide financial support to groups that demonstrate that an activity contributes to supporting and amplifying the voices of communities and groups often left out in the environment and climate movements. For example, a group may wish to pay a speaker from a working-class background to speak at an event or run a solidarity action to support a minoritised community.
How often can a group or organisation apply?
You can submit separate applications for a total of £500 per financial year (July – June). If your application relates to group development
What do we need to include in our application?
Your application form must be completed in its entirety. Be prepared to provide the following information:
- A clear objective that demonstrates how the activity you are seeking to fund will enable participation or build a partnership with an identified group, organisation or community meeting one or more of the criteria above.
- A plan and timescale for meeting the objective and, if possible, how you will continue to foster your partnership work in the long term.
- A costing for your partnership.
Can we apply for a grant retrospectively?
Grants must not be applied for retrospectively except in an emergency. When there's an urgent and compelling reason for financial assistance which couldn't have been foreseen, we're able to issue grants at short notice.
What happens after we submit our application?
The Campaign Activism team and regional staff will consider your application. We aim to inform you by email of the outcome within 2 weeks of receiving your application.
How likely are we to receive the grant?
Grants will normally be awarded for projects supporting the development of partnership work or participation with groups meeting the criteria above. This could include paying for consulting with a marginalised group for marketing and campaigns, supporting a solidarity event financially, supporting the planning and hosting of an event or action.
We'll prioritise activities which contribute to building a lasting relationship with a community or organisation. If you need help identifying groups to work with or are unsure if the group you’ve identified meets the criteria, please speak with your regional staff who are very equipped with experience and here to support you.
Grants won't be awarded for projects or activities that do not meet the terms of the Partnership Fund, nor for everyday group running costs.
Why do we need to fill out an evaluation form?
If your application is successful, you'll receive a confirmation letter with payment details. Please complete the enclosed evaluation form. There are 4 reasons for this:
- To help you celebrate and learn from your work.
- To inform us of the impact of your activities.
- To help us give advice to other groups planning similar work.
- To inform future applications you make.