THERE were smiles all round when community projects received their share of £300,000 to help boost quality of life for tens of thousands of people across the West Midlands and improve the region’s environment.
The money from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Community Environment Fund will be used to stage a community climate festival, create a green therapeutic garden, champion awareness of climate change in diverse communities, and run a citizen science project to monitor river water quality.
The WMCA has now provided £1.6million to 55 grassroots environment projects right across the region, with the potential to improve the lives of more than 500,000 people by making it easier for them to spend time in nature, promoting repair and reuse schemes, and making their neighbourhoods more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
A total of 14 groups across the region were handed the funds to carry out environment projects.
This included Castle Bromwich Hall and Gardens Trust which was handed £21,292 to run a repair cafe, host home food growing drop-in days, and foraging and cooking sessions.
The Severn Rivers Trust in Coventry was given £36,500 to support the Coventry Rivers Citizen Science project that will train volunteers to help monitor water quality along the River Sowe.
The RSPCA Coventry District Branch was awarded £17,200 to restore and maintain a pond in Coundon Wedge and open it up to the public and schools.
EKHO Collective in Brierley Hill, Dudley, were also among the latest groups to get funding from the WMCA Community Environment Fund.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “People across our region are taking real action to improve their local communities, from transforming green spaces to addressing climate change. 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. The impact of these projects will be felt not just today, but for years to come, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.”
The WMCA is supporting local green schemes through the Community Green Grants programme and the Community Environment Fund, which is part the WMCA’s and Government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund.
