Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Seed Fund

Some wards are closed for applications

Due to the large number of applications we've received, we can no longer accept Seed Fund applications for the following wards:

  • Brinnington and Stockport Central
  • Heatons North
  • Manor

About Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN)

We're committed to tackling climate change to create a greener future for everyone.

The key to tackling climate change is to reduce levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As well as the global benefits, this helps improve the quality of life locally, affecting health, wellbeing, and community resilience.

You can find out more about CAN on our climate change pages.

About the CAN Seed Fund

The Stockport CAN Seed Fund aims to support residents, communities and schools to take action.

Grants up to £1,000 are available for small projects that enable residents of Stockport to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions locally.

Funding decisions will be made by your local councillors in line with the 6-weekly area committee meeting cycles.

This funding is open for applications until February 2025.

Who can apply?

Eligible groups include, but are not limited to:

  • community and voluntary groups
  • faith groups and religious organisations (if your project benefits the wider community and does not include religious content)
  • not-for-profit organisations
  • schools and colleges
  • groups of residents who live on the same street or nearby to each other
  • shared interest groups, such as sports clubs or walking groups. This includes informal shared interest groups, for example, groups of parents

The funding cannot be used for private benefit. Therefore, not eligible for this funding includes:

  • individuals
  • single households
  • businesses

What kind of proposals will we fund?

We can fund lots of different activities that will help tackle climate change. Proposals funded by this scheme must have one or more of the following primary aims:

  • greenhouse gas reduction
  • adaptation to climate change
  • climate engagement and behaviour change
  • protecting or increasing biodiversity

You do not need to be an expert in any of these areas to apply.

There are lots of activities that impact greenhouse gases that the CAN Seed Fund could support, such as:

  • reducing energy use
  • local and seasonal food growing or cooking
  • reducing waste, reusing and repairing
  • improving the local environment
  • encouraging or enabling sustainable travel
  • raising awareness and education around climate change
  • planting for biodiversity (note that you must have permission from the landowner; you can find more information in the section below)

As well as climate action, your proposal may have some additional benefits. We'd like to hear about any co-benefits of your proposal, such as:

  • encouraging active travel
  • tackling the cost of living crisis
  • providing healthy and sustainable food
  • improving wellbeing and mental health

Important information

There are some rules that your project must adhere to:

  • If your proposal involves the use of land, including planting, you must have permission from the landowner (including if the landowner is the council). We'll need to see evidence of this from the point of application. Without this, your application will be ineligible.

  • Applicants will have full responsibility for any ongoing maintenance resulting from their proposal.

  • Your proposal must not have any religious or political message.

  • If your proposal is nature-focused rather than climate-focused, you must evidence a long-term planting plan. This plan must encourage biodiversity, include pollinators, and allow for carbon capture by leaving the soil undisturbed once planted. You must also include a species list and a management proposal.

  • If your application is successful, then:

    • you must keep receipts as evidence of how you spent the money
    • we may ask for some photos and an interview with your group about the project once it’s been delivered

How long will it take to get a decision?

You should expect a decision within 10 weeks of your application. If you're successful, we'll arrange for payment of the grant.

Applications will be assessed by councillors in line with the 6-weekly area committee meeting cycles.

It can take up to 4 months for us to fully process an application and pay you the money. Make sure that you apply in plenty of time.

How do I know which ward my project will take place in?

You can use the map tool on the councillors webpage to find out in which ward your project will take place.

What happens after I apply?

  1. We'll review your application and then send it to councillors of the ward in which the project will take place. The councillors will assess your application and make their decisions in line with the 6-weekly area committee meeting cycles. You can expect an answer within 10 weeks of your application.

  2. If your application is successful, we’ll send you an email to give you the good news and to ask for bank details so that we can begin processing your grant.

  3. If your application is unsuccessful, we’ll email you to let you know.

  4. Once you receive the money, you can get going on your proposal. You should spend the funding the way you said you would in your application, and within 12 months of receiving funding.

  5. We’ll get in touch around the time you said your proposal will be delivered. We'll ask for receipts for the items and services you bought with the funding, some photos of what the money was spent on, and in some cases interviews so we can showcase amazing projects and communities.

Any more questions?

If you have any questions that haven’t been answered by this guidance, or if you'd like a full list of questions from the application form, then you can email us at stockportcanfund@stockport.gov.uk.

Otherwise, you can apply below.

Start your application