Three weeks left to apply to Become Green Together
Voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations are eligible for 12 months of environmental support.
Final applications for Become Green Together close on the 30th September. This programme is the ideal way to build knowledge around the climate crisis and sustainability, and embed an environmental approach within your organisation.
There are spaces left for voluntary and community organisations in County Durham, the Tees Valley, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and Cumbria to sign up to the programme. There are also bursaries available to claim to cover the cost of training. To enquire about the availability of bursaries, email the project coordinator, Nathaniel Spain, at Nathaniel.Spain@vonne.org.uk.
You can find out more and apply through the overall Going Green Together website.
What does the programme include?
Become Green Together provides subsidised access to the support of two environmental consultants, genee and SmartCarbon, as well as access to the Investors in the Environment (iiE) accreditation framework and a carbon footprint calculator for 12 months.
These consultants will hold training sessions to guide you step-by-step through the process of creating and implementing an environmental policy, strategy and action plan, working towards iiE accreditation, and calculating your carbon footprint.
You’ll also gain their support and knowledge in other areas of sustainability which are important to you, and join a support network of peers learning together.
Through this process, you’ll improve your organisation’s knowledge, ensure that a sustainable approach is embedded across your organisation, and pave the way for further climate action.
What are the benefits?
It’s important for the voluntary and community sector to take action on the climate crisis. With an increased likelihood of extreme weather, and the knock-on effects of linked crises such as the energy crisis, disadvantaged communities the sector supports are already bearing the brunt of the climate emergency.
The VCSE sector can show solidarity and support these communities through getting involved with climate action, and help make practical changes to ensure their future wellbeing. The Become Green Together programme is a way to do this.
In addition, an environmental approach can ensure the success of your core work into the future. Reducing energy and resource use is a way to cut costs, as well as protect the environment. Changes to legislation and the requirements of funders also mean that non-environmental organisations increasingly need to demonstrate their eco-credentials. Become Green Together will help you get ahead of these changes, and showcase your sustainability.
Lastly, an environmental approach creates new opportunities. You can use this as a springboard for collaborating on new projects with environmental elements, and therefore access environmental funding streams and attract staff who are passionate about tackling climate change.
What are the commitments?
The course is heavily subsidised, with up to 75% off training costs for 12 months. The bursary scheme means that if you’re a small organisation you may be able to take part at no cost. This makes environmental support affordable, as well as accessible. After the 12 months, you can choose to renew with iiE and SmartCarbon at the normal rate.
Because Become Green Together is subsidising the costs for you, you’ll need to commit your time to take part in training and organisational activities, and to provide the organisers with feedback. The amount of time will vary based on the size of your organisation, and you can find a full break-down on the website. This workload is spread out, and the Become Green Together team are on hand to help you every step of the way.
How do you apply?
All you need to do to apply is fill out a short form on the Going Green Together website. That’s it!
If you want to claim a bursary, email Nathaniel.Spain@vonne.org.uk beforehand and a bursary will be reserved for you.
