The Foundation, which is funded by mining company Anglo American, the owners of the Woodsmith Mine being constructed near Whitby and in Teesside, is making a total of £80,000 available for this funding round.

This grant round will contribute to the Foundation’s objective to advance environmental protection and improvement including the enhancing of the local landscape, whilst having a lasting positive impact on the local community.

“We want to help local people in our area to undertake action on climate change in their own communities and beyond,” said Leah Swain, Chief Executive of the Sirius Minerals Foundation. “Grants could be used for a wide range of projects, for example, to reduce the carbon footprint of a building, organisation or community; for a communal electric car-charging point; to raise awareness about climate change; or to train the next generation of electric vehicle mechanics.

“Doubtless, people will have plenty of other ideas. We can all play a part in looking after the world we love.” We can all play a part in looking after the world we love.”

Ian Swales, Chair of the Foundation added: “This climate change grant round is the first of its kind for the Foundation and we are hoping to learn about the local appetite for climate change action across our region and across different types of organisations and community groups.”

This grant round will close at 12pm on Monday 6 December 2021. Groups will be notified of the outcome by the end of February 2022. Funds must be spent by end of March 2023.

If you are unsure if your idea for a grant meets the criteria, you can get in touch to discuss your application before you apply by calling Leah Swain on 07724 832982 or emailing [email protected]

For more information on how to apply visit http://www.siriusmineralsfoundation.co.uk/current-funding/

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Leah Swain, Chief Executive

[email protected]

M: 07724 832982

T: 01723 470 108                                                                                         

Notes to editors:

About Sirius Minerals Foundation:

The Sirius Minerals Foundation has been established to distribute funds to local community projects, which can range from bursaries, scholarships or skills training to improving public spaces and facilities, environmental initiatives and community building projects. The articles of association define the area of benefit as within the North York Moors National Park and the boroughs of Scarborough and Redcar & Cleveland. A small proportion of annual funds may also be deployed outside the area of benefit, provided the Foundation’s objectives are still met.

Anglo American makes a donation to the Foundation of £1m a year while Woodsmith Mine is under construction. Longer term, it will be funded by percentage of mine revenue, which is expected to amount to several million pounds per year.

The charitable objectives of the Foundation are to:

• Advance education, including supporting projects and training that benefit people by enhancing their skills;
• Promote the general health of the community;
• Advance environmental protection and improvement including the enhancing of the local landscape;
• Provide and improve facilities in the interests of social welfare and leisure time with the aim to improve residents' well-being;

Help gain skills to those in need, because of financial hardship by being out-of-work, particularly the long-term unemployed.