Community Climate Fund Success Stories
Below are examples how the Council's Community Climate Fund is improving environmental and social standards locally. These stories demonstrate how to meet the grant criteria and offer inspiration for climate action throughout the District.
The Climate Change Action Map demonstrates how the climate network is growing throughout Horsham District and West Sussex. You can check out and plot your own project to WSCC's map now.
1st Storrington & Sullington Scouts
Queen Elizabeth II Community Garden
Project cost: £2,791
Amount awarded: £955
1st Sullington & Storrington are in the process of improving their existing community garden for waste, water and biodiversity benefits. The project will also extend environmental skills and education as the children will be involved with hot bin composting, rainwater harvesting and maintaining a insect hotel to support pollination.
2nd Horsham Scout Group
Energy, Water and Waste Eco-Project I
Project cost: £1,000
Amount awarded : £1,000
Initial funding allowed for a rainwater harvesting system that avoids 25,000L of mains water annually, two hot composters to minimise landfill disposal and reinforcing the benefits of regenerative agriculture, as well as a heating programmer for a 20% reduction in carbon emissions emitted for energy.
2nd Horsham Scout Group
Energy, Water and Waste Eco-Project II
Project cost: £1,381
Amount awarded : £1,000
A later successful application in 2022 improves energy and water efficiency by replacing outdated fluorescent strip lights with new LED units and implementing automatic water taps.
5th/10th Horsham Scouts
Solar PV and LED Lighting Installation
Project cost: £21,919
Amount awarded: £5,000
A successful bid in August 2022 was awarded towards a solar PV installation for renewable electricity generation and batteries for on-site storage. On top of this, the funding covered the switch to LED lights. These actions push 5th/10th Horsham scouts towards their ambitious target of saving 64 tonnes of CO2 over 20 years and reduce lighting costs by 50%.
Barns Green Primary School
Solar PV Installation
Project cost: £24,000
Amount awarded: £5,000
The school have combined this fund with other grants to take their first major step towards net zero. The project involves installing a 40 solar PV panel array to generate 17,846 kWh of electricity generation per year. It represents a strong public display of climate action and links to environmental education featured in their curriculum. Using WSCC’s estimates, they anticipate savings of 7 tCO2e per annum.
Beeding and Bramber Village Hall
Solar PV and LED Lighting Installation
Project cost: £15,114
Amount awarded : £4,714
The Community Climate Fund provided financial support for Beeding and Bramber Village Hall's collaborative sustainable energy project. They worked with Greening Steyning, Brighton and Hove Energy Services Cooperative (BHESCo), Lightfoot LED and CC Solar to install a 5.94kWp solar PV array and LED lighting that is estimated to save 33 tCO2e over 25 years (BHESCo, 2022). Renewable energy also presents financial savings that improve value for community users.
[The Community Climate Fund] has allowed us to be a beacon for other organisations, in the village and beyond, to do something positive and change their carbon footprint.
Sue Albury (Beeding and Bramber Hall Chair of Trustees)
Billingshurst Men's Sheds
Shed Insulation Project
Project cost: £4,491
Amount awarded: £2,500
This community DIY project involving skilled volunteers will add insulation, as well as double-glazed doors and windows to the new shed facility. As a result, avoiding heaters across the colder months means saving 288kWh and 80kg CO2 per annum. Subsequently, it shall create a warmer environment for users through the winter and reduces costs for a soon to be important community hub.
Chanctonbury Church
Bicycle Rack Installation
Project cost: £1,038
Amount awarded: £878
The introduction of a 5 capacity bicycle rack within the church grounds promotes sustainable mobility for both church visitors and the wider public. This action supports a reduction in GHG emissions, local air pollution and congestion.
Chanctonbury Leisure Centre
LED Studio Replacement
Project cost: £11,858
Amount awarded: £5,000
Chanctonbury Community Leisure Centre and their users will benefit from an estimated annual saving of £6,583 due to an LED lighting upgrade (NRG Group, 2022). Critically, their carbon emission and energy usage will both fall as a result.
Comptons Tennis Club
LED Floodlight Replacement
Project cost: £40,000
Amount awarded: £5,000
Exchanging metal halide light fittings with far more efficient and reliable LED floodlights shall save carbon contributions, energy and financial expenditure. In addition, the freed up electrical capacity permits plans with Lower Beeding Parish Council to initiate on-site electric vehicle charging points.
Friends of Horsham Park
Sense the Change
Project cost: £12,352
Amount awarded: £2,082
The Community Climate Fund has supported developments for a drought resistant sensory garden in Horsham Park. Watch their video on Twitter that explains their intentions for the grant. You can also follow project updates via their website.
Greening Steyning
The 2030 Project
Project cost: £13,500
Amount awarded: £10,000
Greening Steyning have been a highly organised and proactive climate community group since 2010. Their 2030 Project that tackles a range of environmental issues. The initial grant in 2020 helped them to establish a Repair Café and The Retrofit Project and conducted an Active Travel Survey. The follow-up grant in 2022 supported a Home Energy Helpdesk, Climate Café and encouraged community engagement through a sustainable fashion show, Wildlife Gardens Open Day and creating an interactive local nature map.
Henfield Hall
Community Solar in Henfield
Project cost: £27,028
Amount awarded: £5,000
The installation of 60 PV solar panels represents a key step towards Henfield Hall's wider plan to become carbon neutral. This development has been supported by Sustainable Henfield and Henfield Parish Council throughout.
Henfield Haven
Solar PV Project
Project cost: £30,106
Amount awarded: £5,000
Henfield Haven estimate that their new solar PV array will produce an annual output of 32,253kWh. This project is part of the Sustainable Henfield 2030 overall project for energy reduction in its public buildings.
Henfield Leisure Centre
Sports Hall Lighting Improvements
Project cost: £11,700
Amount awarded: £5,000
This leisure centre upgraded their 30-year-old lighting with 15 LED lighting fittings, which they predict will result in a 273% energy reduction and consequential carbon contribution. Other benefits include extending product life cycles of lights to 20,000 hours for less waste and financial savings maximising returns for community centre users.
Holy Trinity Rudgwick
Waste Reduction & Green Roof Shelter
Project cost: £3,134
Amount awarded: £2,500
HTR won funding in the final round of 2022 to fulfil their vision of extending recycling operations that collect items missed with kerbside services. The plans involve constructing a green roof recycling shelter to upscale waste reduction, increase biodiversity and absorb CO2. Also, they intend to extend education through a local sustainability network with schools, businesses, Rudgwick scouts, and in partnership with the national Eco Church community.
Horsham Community Fridge
Saturday Pop-up Events
Project cost: £1,830
Amount awarded: £1,000
The Council contributed towards the running a pop-up version of the already established Community Fridge service. Improving accessibility for residents across the District means further savings on food waste, which in turn reduces carbon emissions and strengthens community resilience.
Horsham Sports Club
LED Tennis Courts Floodlights Upgrade
Project cost: £26,050
Amount awarded: £5,000
Horsham Lawn Tennis Club committed to upgrading court floodlights in 2021. The development ensures a leading example for other local sports clubs who similarly wish to reduce carbon footprint and save money by minimise energy consumption.
Horsham Trafalgar NC
Dr. Bike Maintenance Classes
Project cost: £3,938
Amount awarded: £2,498
These free classes offered core cycling maintenance skills to impower local cyclists with independence and confidence. By promoting a climate friendly alternative to cars, they also matched with their desires to reduce the speed limit in the area with prioritising cycling and walking and improving air quality for all.
Lower Barn Allotment Society
Rainwater Harvesting
Project cost: £4,050
Amount awarded: £2,400
This local society applied resourcefulness, environmental awareness, and collaboration to design an effective water conservation project. They will use funds for the raw materials to complete community DIY to incorporate three water harvesting stations into community allotment which is accessible to around 100 people. Using typical rainfall and consumption over the past two years, they anticipate decreasing water consumption by 20% and save 27,000L per year.
North Horsham PC
Holbrook Tythe Barn LED Replacement
Project cost: £4,152
Amount awarded: £2,076
Plans to upgrade 65 lights with LED fixtures using professional electrical services. Estimated carbon savings are 1.8 tCO2e pa through reducing energy usage. It converts into lowers costs on electricity by 20% that can go towards improving community services.
One Church, Rock Farm
Community Carbon Sink
Project cost: £28,182
Amount awarded: £5,000
This investment went towards creating an outdoor space for a carbon-negative farming project with a specialist focus on including the marginalised members of the community. Here educational programs focus on alternative methods for growing food, including biochar farming and methods to improve soil fertility, as well as for planting trees.
One Church, Rock Farm
Carbon-Negative Horticulture Courses
Project cost: £11,000
Amount awarded: £5,000
A series of 1-day courses educating 50+ people of carbon-negative and nature-friendly growing methods. Upskilling 4-6 long-term unemployed/underemployed people to learn horticulture and landscaping and providing employment assistance. Estimated 1.2 tCO2e saved pa, plus any actions from education.
Pulborough Social Centre
Entrance and Foyer LED Lighting
Project cost: £2,330
Amount awarded: £1,930
The proposal to invest in 8 new LED lighting fixtures was accepted during the February 2023 round. These upgrades will produce monetary savings for the community organisation and improves usability for users. Also, increasing energy efficiency by 73% converts into 1 tonne of carbon being avoided per year.
Slinfold Village Hall
LED Lighting
Project cost: £4,775
Amount awarded: £2,500
Upgrading 42 light fittings and controls with energy-efficient LED in the hall. Saves 500kWh and 1.5 tCO2e per annum, whilst sustaining hall user charges for the community.
Southwater Village Hall
Air Source Heat Pump System
Project cost: £29,700
Amount awarded: £5,000
A successful application eased the cost of installing an air source heat pump to replace a gas fired boiler. This not only reduces immediate energy use and carbon emissions, but also acts as investment in preparation for future cost and policy changes.
Springboard
Springboard Green Fund
Project cost: £2,749
Amount awarded: £2,749
The provision of Smart Radiator Valves improved the energy efficiency of their building and a new electronic bike purchase now encourages sustainable mobility for staff.
Steyning Tennis Club
New Energy Efficient LED Lights
Project cost: £24,050
Amount awarded: £5,000
Steyning Tennis Club will shortly replace 12 floodlights with LED capabilities to decrease CO2e contributions by 61%, increase the product life of lights by 4-5 times and improve lighting quality for 224 users.
St. Mark's Church
Holbrook Community Orchard
Project cost: £1,000
Amount awarded: £1,000
St. Mark's Church have been accredited with Eco Church recognition. They selected to develop their community garden via tree/bulb planting, food recycling, rainwater collection, whilst completing wildlife and local community surveys to review progress.
Storrington & Sullington PC
Heat Pump Air Conditioner Replacement
Project cost: £10,980
Amount awarded: £5,000
A 2-phase project to replace 5 heat pump units to reduce energy consumption on heating by 30%. The 800-kWh reduction per year will save 1.8 tCO2e being emitted per annum
Storrington Community FC
Replacement LED Lights
Project cost: £2,985
Amount awarded: £2,485
A series of lighting upgrades including 18 circular polo fittings, 13 LED batten, 13 emergency bulkhead fittings, 1x 30w food light and PIR with new protective cage. These measures will present energy reductions of community facilities open to 250+ regular users.
Sussex Green Living
Bright New Future Roadshow
Project cost: £17,000
Amount awarded: £5,000
Sussex Green Living are an award winning charity for their climate endeavours since 2012. Financial support was given towards creating an 'Eco Innovation Station' as a retrofitted milk float that tours events across the District. Here individuals can receive information regarding how to reduce their carbon footprint. You can discover more about the project here.
Sussex Green Living
3 R's Roadshow
Project cost: £5,000
Amount awarded: £3,000
The environmental charity will be touring 10 communities across Horsham District. These funday-type events will encourage repair and refill, over replacement. Funding will support refill services, engagement games, waste awareness education, 1 new repair café and 2 new recycling drop off points.
Sustainable Henfield
SH2030 - Plastic Waste Reduction
Project cost: £956
Amount awarded: £956
Sustainable Henfield are a well established community group who lead a 10 year plan centred around carbon reduction, biodiversity, consumer issues and transport. The Council's Community Climate Fund supported the recycling of disposable PPE via the introduction of Zero waste bins at strategic points around Henfield.
Thakeham Primary School
Classroom LED Lighting Replacement
Project cost: £1,104
Amount awarded: £1,100
Swapping 10 outdated and failing fluorescent lights for new LEDs in a classroom. It is the final classroom without LED.
Increases energy efficiency by 50% for 0.12 tCO2e avoided per annum. Improves learning environment for the children.
Transition Horsham
Community Allotment Outreach
Project cost: £690
Amount awarded: £690
As a local network, Transition Horsham play a key role in driving climate action within the District. This grant assisted with their desire to extend access to a free and mutually supportive sustainable food producing community. The funds contributed towards developing a ‘heritage bed’, continuing to support over 25 people in seed circles and also expanding the already successful Seedy Saturday seed swap initiative.
Upper Beeding Baptist Church
The HUB Beeding Solar Panels
Project cost: £13,768
Amount awarded: £5,000
Part funding for an 8kW solar PV array that will help this community building become a showcase example in how to reduce fossil fuel dependency.