NEWS RELEASE
Date: 24 January 2007
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Defra announces renewal of grants to Environmental Action Fund projects to support sustainable living
Thirty four projects promoting sustainable development across England are to receive more than £2 million of funding from Defra's Environmental Action Fund (EAF).
The funding for the third year of the EAF projects (2007/8) is designed to help change people's behaviour at a grass-roots level so that consumers live more sustainably.
Announcing the grant aid, Climate Change and Environment Minister Ian Pearson said sustainable consumption and production was a key priority for Defra as part of the Government's drive towards the concept of "One Planet Living".
"These projects, part-funded by the EAF will help to show that taking sustainable choices does not have to be the difficult option when incorporating them into people's everyday lives.
"Some of these projects are working in particularly innovative ways to try and change consumer behaviour, while others have excellent access to diverse or hard-to-reach audiences.
"I am very pleased to continue our support for voluntary and community sector groups and I am confident the programme will make a valuable contribution to One Planet Living."
Among the achievements so far are:
- The Marine Stewardship Council's Fish 'n' Kids project which aims to help preserve our marine resources by providing a wider choice of sustainable seafood to school menus and family restaurants. In conjunction with commercial caterers Brakes they provide sustainable fish choices to over 350 schools.
- Global Action Plan (GAP)'s scheme to bring together people to form Eco-teams and provide advice to make small change that achieve measurable savings in waste, energy and water consumption. The group is currently engaging with more than 700 households and reduced carbon emissions by approximately 30 per cent.
- Eden LA21. This project demonstrates how small actions can generate far larger sustainability gains within communities, community buildings and commercial waste. The group currently supports five local communities and have completed 28 energy audits to make community buildings more energy efficient and accessible. The Cumbrian Green Buildings Open Day this Autumn attracted 850 visitors to showcase the best environmentally sustainable building designs in the county.
Other groups to receive funding include:
- Envision - which supports young people in schools and colleges aged between 16-18 to deliver their own sustainable consumption projects and make a practical difference in their communities. Envision is currently encouraging pupils from 87 schools in Birmingham and London to live more sustainable lifestyles. Current evaluation results show that the project impacts on real behaviour change and is particularly effective inspiring young people in the areas of energy, waste, fair-trade and organic issues.
- The London Food Link project plans to increase the number of sustainable food choices available in London. By working with British and Minority Ethnic (BAME) businesses and restaurants the group hope to increase supplies of sustainable food.
Notes to editors
1 The Environmental Action Fund (EAF) helps voluntary groups in England promote sustainable development through projects covering Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP). Defra has committed £7.14 million over the three year lifespan of the Fund (2005-8)
2 Grants range from £25,000 to £250,000 per year and applications were sought for three year projects starting in April 2005. Groups must find eligible match funding and ensure that the projects have well defined outcomes and clear timescales. Each successful applicant has to reapply each year for funding.
3 Full details about the EAF, today's funding and a breakdown of every project, its aims, objectives and contact details is available on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/eaf/index.htm
4 The Marine Stewardship Councils' EAF-funded project Fish 'n' Kids recently received recognition at the inaugural Green Awards. The awards were created to recognise excellent creative work that illustrates and communicates the importance of Sustainable Development, and ethical best practice.
5 Defra has a range of advice on living greener lifestyles, which is available at www.direct.gov.uk/greenerliving
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Page published: 24 January 2007