Funding for community environmental projects

EKHO Collective in Brierley Hill will use £25,000 to improve facilities at Hawbush Gardens to run more community activities

Almost £300,000 is to be shared between 14 community environmental projects in the West Midlands.

The money will go towards a variety of schemes including a climate festival in Walsall, monitoring of water quality along the River Sowe in Coventry, and raising awareness of climate change among black and minority ethnic communities in Wolverhampton.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which is behind the funding, said it had now provided £1.6m to more than 50 grassroots projects.

Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said it was inspiring to see residents working together.

Other projects this round include the Ramblers Association in Dudley receiving £24,549 to improve footpaths in Cotwall End and deliver dedicated wellbeing walks.

Sandwell African Caribbean Mental Health Foundation will be able to spend £15,588 to transform part of a car park into a community garden, growing vegetables and pollinator-friendly plants.

In addition, almost £25,000 has been given to Birmingham Botanical Gardens to pilot research into the impact of climate change on the city’s tree canopy to help raise awareness of the impact of heat, drought and flood.

Mr Parker said the projects would provide a lasting legacy.

"People across our region are taking real action to improve their local communities, from transforming green spaces to addressing climate change," he said.

"It’s inspiring to see residents working together to create better, more sustainable neighbourhoods.

"This funding supports those efforts, allowing communities to take the lead in shaping their own surroundings."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.