Glasgow Eco Trust is delighted to be one of twelve recipients of a £25,000 grant from the OVO Foundation Community Impact Scheme for 2024

The charity partners will be delivering local projects that will bring children and young people closer to nature, and equip them with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to take action on the climate crisis in their communities.

OVO Foundation has launched the second phase of their grant scheme, Community Impact. Set up in 2023, the Foundation is partnering with twelve community charities up and down the country to provide them with £25,000 one-year grants.

OVO Foundation ​works hard to create a greener, brighter future for the next generation. From bringing youth-led environmental projects to life to giving young climate activists a voice – the work of the Foundation helps children see they have the power to make a difference. This is all made possible by the generous support and donations of OVO customers. 100% of these donations go directly to their partners, and these donations are matched by OVO.

2023 saw the launch of the OVO Foundation’s Community Impact grants programme. Following the success of this scheme, which saw £300,000 donated to 12 organisations and supported thousands of  young people, teachers and volunteers to take part in climate- and nature-focused projects, the Foundation is today announcing their 2024 partners.

These 12 partners will each receive a £25,000 donation as well as year-round OVO volunteering, and support in their mission.

Hannah Howard, Head of OVO Foundation, said: “The Community Impact Grant Scheme is an integral part of our mission to support local communities and organisations to make an impact. From sustainable growing projects to nature-based activities, we’re helping children to connect with their local greenspaces - and learn how to protect them. We can’t wait to see what our 12 new partners achieve with this funding, and look forward to helping them along the way.”

We will be working in partnership with LINKES to improve local green spaces for young people to live, learn and socialise in. Children will connect with nature through workshops and activities, gaining skills and knowledge on how to help protect the planet

The projects are across the UK including in London, Bristol and Glasgow where OVO offices are based and elsewhere in the UK too. The other projects connected to the Glasgow offices are:

• The Children's Wood: The Children’s Wood on North Kelvin meadow, and the meadow itself, make up the last wild space in the West End of Glasgow. In our second year of partnership, the community group is working with a nature education expert to deliver its outdoor Nature and Climate sessions.

• EATS Rosyth: This charity in Fife is working with 4 primary schools to teach children and families about a whole system approach to eating fruit and vegetables, including planting, growing, and cooking. An education programme will also be created to share with other schools.

You can read more about the Community Impact Scheme on the OVO Foundation website.