Since launching in July 2021, the Climate Action Challenge Fund has allocated £500,000 to community groups and schools to help them develop inspiring climate projects. A total of 41 community groups, voluntary organisations and schools benefited from grants and developed a diverse range of climate action projects:
Chelmsford Cathedral
Chelmsford Cathedral was awarded £20,000 to bring the awe-inspiring Gaia touring artwork by Luke Jerram to Essex. This was a stunning replica of the Earth’s globe which was created from detailed NASA imagery measuring six meters in diameter. As well as viewing the artwork installation, visitors were able to attend workshops and reflect on how we could all take action to protect the future of our planet. The event was a huge success, with over 40,000 visitors who attended over the three weeks.
Sea Change Sailing Trust
The Sea Change Sailing Trust Charity was awarded £12,586 to fund a sail cargo which transports goods from Brightlingsea, Essex, to ports on the east coast, on the engineless Thames sailing barge called the Blue Mermaid. This only uses wind and tide during voyages. The charity provides residential opportunities for young people and vulnerable adults to learn and develop a wide range of life skills on a traditional sailing vessel. Young people are recruited from local coastal towns such as Jaywick and Maldon. According to statistics, seaside and coastal communities are some of the most deprived and isolated in the UK, with young people there experiencing economic and social deprivation, poorer educational achievement and higher than average unemployment levels. As well as providing opportunities for young people, the project benefits the environment by taking vehicles off the roads and using the waterways to transport low-emission coastal cargo. It is estimated that the engineless cargo helped to take a 7.5 tonne truck off the road for three working days, and around 30 young people were involved in the project on multiple occasions.
Let’s Talk Trash festival!
The Plume Academy in Maldon worked in partnership with Essex County Council, Maldon District Council and Braxted Park Estate to host the Let’s Talk Trash festival which was attended by over 300 students aged 11 to 13 years. The aim of the event was to shift behaviour away from littering and educate young people on how we can take action to protect the future of our planet.
You can read more about the other pioneering projects on Essex Climate Action Commission's website.