Community climate change initiatives have been awarded funding by Uttlesford District Council.

The council has made £300,000 available across two years to projects in the district through the Zero Carbon Communities Fund.

The aim of the fund is to boost community engagement about climate action and create a platform for sharing successful project ideas and lessons.

This year, 15 projects that met the criteria for carbon emission reduction, biodiversity enhancement, and encouraging community involvement were selected for funding.

This follows on from the 11 projects that received grants in the first year of the initiative.

Portfolio holder for environment and climate change, Cllr Neil Reeve, said: "I am pleased we have managed to enable these important projects that will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to nature restoration in the district.

"The funding scheme was established to inspire and support community groups to take action on climate change.

"We received some excellent applications again this year, which shows our communities really want to make a positive impact on their local environment."

Among the projects to benefit from the funding are Saffron Walden Rugby Football Club, who received over £28,000 for the installation of solar panels, and Thames 21, who were awarded £20,000 to establish the Roding and West Essex farm cluster, engagement activities and related studies.

Saffron Hall Trust and Stansted Tennis Club also received £20,000 and nearly £18,000 respectively for energy-saving lighting upgrades.

In total, around £186,000 was awarded.

Five of the successful applications also met criteria for the government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund, and will therefore receive full capital funding for their community net-zero infrastructure projects.

See the full list below:

  • Saffron Walden Rugby Football Club – £28.155.46
  • Thames 21 – £20,000
  • Saffron Hall Trust – £20,000
  • Stansted Tennis Club – £17,760
  • Saffron Walden Town Council – £16,700
  • Little Canfield Village Hall & Recreation Ground - £16,500
  • High Easter Village Hall – £15,000
  • Newport Parish Council – £12,500
  • Young Wilders CIC – £10,728
  • Hadstock Parish Council – £9,590
  • Widdington Village Hall – £7,910
  • Sustainable Stansted – £3,910
  • Felsted Parish Council – £3,800
  • Stansted Parish Council – £2,112
  • Elsenham Parish Council – £1,000