During the winter of 2021-22, as part of the The National Lottery Community Fund-supported Ouse Valley Climate Action initiative, five local organisations bid for a prize to turn their sustainability idea into practical action.
![community fund logo - with crossed fingers](https://southdownstrust.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/09/digital-white-background-1-1024x501.png)
In partnership with the South Downs Trust, awards were given to projects aiming to reduce waste and carbon use, support wildlife, raise awareness and mitigate the effects of climate change.
![logo file for Ouse Valley climate Action](https://southdownstrust.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/09/OVCA_logo_colour-1024x350.png)
There were five shortlisted projects bidding for a share of the funding pot. These are:
- Lewes Climate Hub – Warm Home Box is an idea from Lewes Climate Hub, a not-for-profit alliance of around twenty community groups in and around Lewes Town in East Sussex, taking action on climate change and ecological breakdown.
- Gardening In Association – GIA seeks to grow the joy of plants and gardening in everyone, enriching lives, building communities, increasing employment opportunities, advocating good horticultural practice, and positively impacting the environment.
- Chyngton School – Chyngton Wildlife Garden Club is a project from Chyngton Primary School.
- KP Projects CIC – KP Projects creates projects around the environment and sustainability, including raising awareness of local environments and new technologies in public spaces. The Living Coast Undersea Experience is a virtual reality experience, opening up one of the UK’s most unique marine environments, Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone.
- Affinity Rowing Club – aiming to increase community access to the unique sport of pilot gig rowing. Experienced coxes, coach and Mental Health professionals allow them to provide a unique holistic approach to rowing whereby technical skills, physical fitness and mental well-being are improved for members.
All received a share of funding with the top two receiving an additional prize towards their project.