Community groups across Cumbria are set to host a series of community-focused events this June, emphasising sustainability, climate action and local food. The county’s climate change charity, Cumbria Action for Sustainability, are offering grants for two significant initiatives—the Big Local Lunch and Great Big Green Week—to support local groups to organise events which foster environmental awareness and community spirit.

Great Big Green Week is a week-long initiative which aims to raise awareness of climate change and encourage community action and takes place from 7th – 15th June. Grants of up to £300 are available to not-for-profit groups in the Westmorland & Furness Council area to host events along the theme of ‘let’s swap together for good,’. It is hoped the inspiring events will promote sustainable practices such as repair cafes, plant swaps, second-hand fashion exchanges, and knowledge-sharing on topics like insulation and electric vehicles.

Helen Attewell from CAfS commented, “With the swapping theme, we’re looking for events that capture the idea of buying less and sharing more, and sharing knowledge, skills, and ideas to cut carbon emissions and ‘do our bit’ for the environment.”

The Food Cumberland Partnership is providing grants of up to £200 per project for groups across the Cumberland Council area to host events as part of the Big Local Lunch 2025, celebrated nationally over the weekend of 7th – 8th June. This funding aims to bring communities together to celebrate local food, encourage healthy eating, and demonstrate how to minimize food waste and avoid single-use plastics.

Val Ayre, Public Health Manager at Cumberland Council, stated, “Food Cumberland is supporting the Big Local Lunch 2025 to enable communities to come together to enjoy healthy, local produce. We welcome applications from local community groups, including tenants’ associations, health and disability support groups, youth groups, churches, schools, and sports clubs.”

Menus could feature locally sourced high-quality meat, a variety of vegetable dishes, and showcase healthy, low-carbon options. The grant can also be used to provide refreshments for events taking place during Great Big Green Week and Open Farm Sunday on 8th June 2025).

To help groups organise their events, CAfS are hosting a free online ‘ideas swap’ event on Wednesday, 26th March from 7 pm to discuss funding, event planning and promotion. For more information on the grants see this page and to book your free place on the event, click here.