Dynamic Earth set to welcome over 100 community climate champions
Community groups from across Scotland will gather in Edinburgh on Thursday 2nd November at an event hosted by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful to celebrate and strengthen local efforts to combat climate change that have been supported through the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.
Environmental organisations, national charities and Scottish Government representatives will join community groups and Climate Challenge Fund Grant Recipients past and present at the 2017 Climate Challenge Fund Gathering to celebrate their work together in tackling climate change, share best practice and identify further partnership opportunities.
The annual event will showcase and celebrate the work of the hugely successful Climate Challenge Fund – a Scottish Government grants programme, managed and administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, which provides funding and support for community groups to tackle climate change through community-led projects that reduce carbon emissions.
Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, who will be providing a keynote address at the conference, commented: “Scotland is determined to lead the world in the efforts to tackle climate change – an issue that affects all of us. The CCF Gathering gives a rare opportunity for our climate change communities to get together and celebrate their achievements, strengthen their connections, build new relationships and, most importantly, be inspired.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with some of the people who are inspiring change across Scotland, including those Climate Challenge Fund recipients, whose hard work and innovation was backed by over £9 million of Scottish Government grants this year and nearly £1 million of European Regional Development Funding – enabling more than 100 local projects to take action to benefit Scotland’s environment.”
https://youtu.be/FmoaQU3eWc8
David Gunn, Climate Challenge Fund Manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful, added: “The annual Climate Challenge Fund Gathering is both a celebration of the work undertaken by communities across Scotland to tackle climate change and a chance to learn how the skills and experience of the wide variety of organisations in attendance can support community-led climate action.
“I encourage community group representatives interested in taking action on climate change in their local community, to book their free space and learn about how they can make their ambitions a reality.
“Keep Scotland Beautiful is delighted to host the gathering and celebrate all groups’ outstanding achievements and encourage further local action on climate change in 2018.”
Amongst the attendees on the day will be a range of Climate Challenge Fund supported projects, including Communities for Conservation, run by Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), which is empowering ethnic minority communities in Edinburgh and Livingston to save energy, choose sustainable travel and grow more local food, as well as mainstreaming the topic of climate change.
Jean-Matthieu Gaunand, Project Co-ordinator, for ELREC’s Communities for Conservation Project, said: “We always find the Gathering a valuable opportunity to share ideas with communities and other organisations from across Scotland who are working together to take action on climate change and encourage others to take advantage of this free event.”
Further information about Climate Challenge Fund projects and those currently supported by Fund can be accessed here.
The Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) has awarded grants totalling £85.8 million to 986 projects in 622 communities since its introduction in 2008, with projects involving energy efficiency, sustainable travel, local food and resource efficiency. For 2017/18 the CCF includes some match funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland said: “From re-use and repair to swapping and sharing, communities across Scotland are doing their bit to contribute to Scotland’s growing reputation as a leading circular economy nation.
“The Climate Challenge Fund offers organisations financial support for sustainable initiatives that both bring people together and help the environment. Using investment from the European Regional Development Fund, we look forward to continuing to work with partners to make a difference in Scotland’s communities.”
The Gathering is free to attend, but spaces should be booked in advance.
Further information on the Gathering can be found at: https://www.
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