Neighbourly has today launched its new Seeds of Change programme, bringing together support from Southern Co-op, RSA Insurance, Cadent, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Danone and M&G to help small charities and good causes have a bigger positive environmental impact for local communities.

Seeds of Change will enable businesses to donate volunteer time and / or grants to small charities and local causes across the UK, helping causes to create green spaces for local communities and reduce their CO2 emissions.

Support will be directed to a wide range of vetted local causes – including mental health charities, community centres, youth organisations, schools and environmental volunteer groups – who can deliver measurable, high-impact outcomes.

Green spaces are proven to support people’s wellbeing by reducing depression, anxiety and stress. But only 35% in the lowest-earning households in England are currently within a ten-minute walk of a natural green space, compared with 59% of the highest earning households (https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/clean-up-green-up-and-level-up-how-to-build-a-future-city).

Seeds of Change will enable national businesses to direct targeted support to communities where environmental changes are needed the most, by engaging and supporting local causes and community groups in these areas.

Micro-grants will be directed to local causes for planting and environmental activities, using a seed-fund of £100,000 from a selection of Neighbourly partners.

In response to almost two thirds of local charities in Neighbourly’s network saying they need volunteer support with their greening programmes, businesses will provide their employees with opportunities to give their time and skills to help with environmental projects. Businesses will also engage with good causes to support them with climate education programmes.

New Neighbourly research also shows that over two thirds of local charities (66%) think it is very important that they commit to carbon reduction or carbon offsetting measures.

Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, said: “It’s critical to involve community causes in accelerating responses to the pressing environmental and societal challenges we face. Seeds of Change gives businesses and local communities a way to come together in the lead up to COP26 and beyond – translating the enormity of the climate crisis into meaningful action at a local level.

“If we really want to build back greener and better, we must prioritise local action built on local insights. We’re confident that Seeds of Change can help to ensure healthier, happier and thriving communities and we’re calling for any other businesses wanting to support local communities through environmental programmes to join us. To deliver big goals and achieve maximum impact we must think local.”

As part of its commitment to protecting the planet, Neighbourly has pledged to reach net zero by 2030 and joined the B Corp Climate Collective, a group of B Corps working together to take action on the climate emergency.

Holly Firmin, Senior Community Partnerships Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said: “People’s appreciation of outdoor spaces and the natural world has really increased during lockdown and we know it can have a vital impact on mental and physical wellbeing. Neighbourly’s Seeds of Change initiative will help us to work together with other businesses and charities to provide the support local community groups need to improve their green spaces. Sustainability lies at the heart of everything we do as a business, and we remain committed to working with our charity partners and continuing our volunteering efforts to make a real difference in communities across Great Britain.”

The environmental grants will be administered by the Neighbourly Foundation, launched in 2020 as an independent charity arm to respond to an increase in local need during the pandemic. Since launch, the Foundation has provided more than £3.6 million in micro-grants to over 4,800 local charities and community causes, supporting an estimated 1.6 million people each week.

Successful causes will be vetted and selected through an application process on the Neighbourly platform. Grants will be awarded for activity delivered from October to Spring 2022 that will have a sustainable and direct impact on carbon reduction, or will protect natural habitats and local biodiversity. All activity and outcomes will be measured and reported.

Holly Bramble, Community Lead at Southern Co-op, said: “We already have our own ambitious climate goals across our retail, coffee and end of life businesses but we know we can’t stop there. Collaboration and community-led action is essential, and we hope that Seeds of Change will empower lots of local causes to have a positive impact by greening their neighbourhoods. We’re excited to be working with Neighbourly to have a positive impact for the futures of communities across the UK.”

Neighbourly and its business partners are calling for any businesses that want to support their local communities to back the Seeds of Change programme. Interested businesses should contact [email protected]. To find out more about Neighbourly, visit http://neighbourly.com/aboutus.