Dave Thompson MSP

SKYE, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson has urged local groups with environmentally friendly aims to bid for an award of up to £10,000 to help their  local projects.

Mr Thompson made the call after the Green Insurance Company announced that it had doubled the funding for its successful Green Grants scheme, which last year offered support to more than 300 initiatives across the UK. This year the Green Grants initiative is able to offer one grant of up to £10,000 from its larger funding pot of £40,000, with the remaining £30,000 to be allocated to numerous grants of up to £2,000.

Mr Thompson said: “This is an important additional source of funding for environmental projects but applications must be submitted by the end of the month so I urge any interested groups to get their skates on and urgently start preparing their bid.

“In their cash-straitened times, it is vital that every funding source is considered so I urge groups to consider this source of funding for initiative to improve their areas.

Applications to the scheme can be made online [link below] to speed the process.

Notes:

The Green Grants Initiative was awarded the title of Business Sustainability Initiative of the Year at the British Insurer Awards 2011 and seeks to promote sustainable living in local communities and to raise awareness of the company brand for the eco-conscious consumer.

The Green Grant Initiative has set up an online application form available at http://www.greeninsurancegiving.co.uk/grants.php and invites applications up until 30th November 2011. A panel of environmental experts including representatives from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Glasgow University, the RSPB and The National Trust for Scotland will review all applications. The announcements of the projects that have been successful in achieving the grants of up to £2000 will be made in January 2012. Alongside this, three of the best applications in the £10,000 category will be shortlisted for a public vote to decide which organisation will receive the one off grant.

The Green Insurance Company is based in Glasgow and is a subsidiary of the Kwik Fit Financial services Group.