Also see: Family Challenge

Tilton on the Hill and Halstead Parish Plan Group have been selected as the starter community supported by Sustainable Billesdon for a project to provide advice to householders and local businesses on ways to reduce their carbon emissions as well as opening homes and gardens in the two villages as good examples of saving energy and green gardening techniques.

Ibstock Does Climate Change has been selected as the mature community wanting to develop their climate change awareness programme. They are currently working with North West Leicestershire District Council on the Footprints Challenge and with Ibstock Community Enterprises Ltd and plan to train volunteers to become Climate Change Champions in community groups in Ibstock over the forthcoming year.

Both groups will receive intensive support from ENABLE to develop projects which help tackle climate change and are currently planning their launch events and meeting with ENABLE shortly to firm up their action plan. Watch this space to find out more…..

There was a lot of interest from community groups across the County ranging from small Parish Councils to large Market Towns with a good spread across Leicestershire. The other community groups will be invited to a training session run by Leicestershire Rural Community Council in late September/early October.

ENABLE is seeking two communities to work with on projects which help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help tackle climate change. Projects could include owning and planting a community allotment and selling the homegrown produce to local residents, making changes to a Village Hall or community centre to make it more energy efficient with insulation or double glazing or even installing renewable energy such as solar hot water. The most important thing is that the community is working together to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The two community groups will each receive £500 to help kickstart their project along with access to free training and workshops, advice and support from ENABLE whenever required and help with other sources of funding for their project.

The two community group are:-

Parish Councils in Leicestershire have already been contacted to nominate a project or group in their village. If you would like to nominate a group or project for consideration for funding either contact your local Parish Council or download an application form.

Deadline for applications is 19th June 2008.

RETURN APPLICATION FORMS TO:-

ENABLE Secretariat, Room 500, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester. LE3 5TE.

Training events for other community groups working on or considering climate friendly projects will be taking place later on in the year with advice on energy efficiency and renewable energy, accessing funding and the benefits of community level projects.