Nearly £500k funding offered for green projects

Maidstone Borough Council is offering support to initiatives focused on combating climate change

Nearly £500,000 worth of funding has been made available to support environmental initiatives to combat climate and nature crises in a Kent borough.

Maidstone Borough Council recently launched the scheme, using its Nature Recovery Fund and Climate Action Fund, to assist local groups.

The council said the Nature Recovery fund would offer £488,000 to medium and large-scale projects that "protect, restore and enhance local habitats and help reverse biodiversity loss".

Rachel Rodwell, council lead for climate transition and nature recovery, said: "For the first time, Maidstone is offering dedicated funds to support projects that will shape a greener and more sustainable future for our borough."

The council said funding would be distributed in phases between 2025 and 2027, with grants starting from £10,000 and up to £50,000 or more.

It said the Climate Action Fund would offer £12,000 for smaller community projects which "focus on efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices in the borough".

"If you have a vision that can make a real difference, we want to hear from you," Rodwell added.