|
Here's our monthly round up of sustainability stories and information from all sectors across Bradford District, featuring inspirational community initiatives, grant and funding opportunities, local events, and Council updates on air quality, nature, renewable energy, transport, and waste management projects.
Nature Big Day Out: Bingley North Bog
 Saturday 19 September 2026 11:00 - 15:00
Come and discover the secrets of Bradford’s wild and wonderful Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve and join us at Bingley North Bog, plus more activities are taking place at Shipley Glen and St Ives.
Could peat bogs save the planet? Where will you find a Pirate Wolf Spider? Did you know Oak Trees live for 1000 years?
Den building, foraging, bug hunting, nature-play, creative fun and pop-up workshops are just some of the exciting activities led by wildlife experts. No need to book and all activities are free, taking place outside across three locations. Come and find out why these places are so special and what we can do to protect and restore them.
These activities are part of a celebration of the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve.
If you are a group, organisation or individual Bradford Culture Company are looking to share your nature work, campaigns and interests with hundreds of people who will be joining our free Nature Big Day Out for families and nature lovers.
If you’d like to take part, please contact Harry Jelley with information about your group and how you’d like to get involved - such as an activity, an information stand, or a workshop - harry.jelley@bradfordculture.co.uk.
Environmental threats and climate solutions
Come along and view the 50-minute film produced by the National Emergency Briefing project to raise awareness of climate and nature breakdown and its implications for health, food systems, national security, and the economy.
Communities and workplaces across the UK are screening the People’s Emergency Briefing.
-
Burley Oaks Primary School, Thursday 17 September. Inspiration Tree is also running a themed workshop for children aged 4-11 years.
-
St John’s Church, Menston Sunday 20 September
-
Clayton, Methodist Church 20 September
-
St Barnabas' Church, Heaton 25 September
-
Heaton, St Barnabas Church 25 September
-
Bradford, City Hall 30 September
-
Haworth, Parish Church 03 October
-
Undercliffe, Community Works 23 October
Plug In Bradford District event
|
Whether you're considering an electric vehicle for personal use or as part of your organisation's fleet, Plug In Bradford District is a free event designed to help residents and businesses learn more about electric and sustainable transport options.
|
 Taking place in Centenary Square, Bradford, on Friday 18 September from 9.45am to 4pm, the FREE event will showcase a wide range of electric vehicles, alongside LNER Bradford Beryl electric bikes, EV charging demonstrations, and opportunities to speak directly with industry experts and local dealers including:
- Cars 2 Ltd with MG
- Arnold Clark with GEELY/JAECOO
- Car Supermarket highlighting used electric vehicles
- RRG with TOYOTA vehicles including a van
- Luscombe Motors with OMODA
- Vertu KIA Bradford with KIA
- Electric Van Company with 3 micro vans 1 van
- West Yorkshire Police showing their EV Police Car
- Beryl e-bikes
- Bradford College showcasing their EV skills courses
- Kerbo Charge and their cross pavement charging gullies.
Drop-in hub to help you save money on your bills
 Drop in at Bradford Interchange Station on Wednesday or Thursdays until the end of October 2026. Home Energy West Yorkshire is on hand to help you save money on your bills and improve your home.
Expert advisors will be at Bradford Interchange Station every Wednesday and Thursday between 10am and 4pm offering impartial and free advice to help you save money and improve your home.
Find out more about how to lower your energy bills, renewable options such as solar panels and finance options to make improvements more affordable.
Developing a Climate Risk Assessment for West Yorkshire - Community Stakeholder Webinar
 Thursday 24 September, 2pm to 3.30pm online
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has commissioned the development of a Climate Risk Assessment for West Yorkshire to better understand the climate risks facing the region, such as risks to buildings and communities from heat and flooding.
A Climate Risk Assessment will also identify priorities for building a more climate-resilient West Yorkshire, such as areas to introduce natural flood management systems (examples include leaky dams and tree planting) to help protect neighbourhoods from flooding. The Climate Risk Assessment will provide an evidence base to support future planning, investment and decision-making across the region.
It will examine how climate change could affect people, places, services, infrastructure and ecosystems over the coming decades, and identify opportunities to strengthen resilience.
Who should join this webinar: Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations in West Yorkshire
The aim of this webinar: is to understand more about how climate change is impacting people, communities and places to help inform the development of the Climate Risk Assessment for West Yorkshire.
Getting ready for food waste collections
Bradford Council crews have been busy preparing for the food waste bin deliveries, and with Gigi the Food Recycling Truck.
|
Area Teams have been out and about across the district, meeting residents and the community, answering questions, and spreading the word about Bradford's Food Recycling Initiative.
Ward Officers have attended Bradford Holiday Activities and Food sessions over the summer to introduce the upcoming Food Recycling Initiative to local children. The response has been fantastic, with children enthusiastically gathering at the stall to take part in the interactive demonstration and learn how food recycling can help create a cleaner, greener community.
|
|
 |
 |
|
The young attendees were excited to share what they had learned with their families, becoming ambassadors for positive environmental change and organising their own clean-up immediately after the event, demonstrating how small actions can make a big difference for a happier, healthier planet. |
Kitchen caddies and outdoor bins have already been delivered to some parts of the District and these residents have already started separating their food waste. If you haven't already received your caddy and bin, it will arrive over the next few weeks so there is no need to contact us and ask where it is - our crews are delivering thousands of them which will take a few months.
Together, we can reduce waste, support our community, and create a cleaner, greener future for Bradford.
What are your thoughts on shared bikes and e-scooters?
 CoMoUK is the national organisation for shared transport, a charity for promoting its social, economic and environmental benefits. Take part in their national survey to contribute your views and experiences to help them understand the value of shared bikes and shared e-scooters ("micromobility") and how services can be improved.
The survey is live until 30 October 2026.
Keighley Sphagnum Moss Growing Project
Yorgreen CIC has teamed up with Keighley Lions Club and Keighley College to create an exciting environmental project for Keighley!
After an inspiring field visit to the Humberside Peatlands, Yorgreen CIC and Keighley Lions Club are taking a lead to set up the Sphagnum Moss growing facility at Woodville Community.
|
The growing area is one of five being supported by the Yorkshire Peat Partnership, utilising Keighley College’s Polytunnel to create two trays 10m squared to grow Sphagnum.
Keighley College and Yorgreen CIC volunteers have cleared the polytunnel, restored doors, built water tray frames, created two storage areas of six IBC tanks and landscaped the area for better access. Keighley has an average annual rainfall of 1000mm; during a 5mm shower, the greenhouse roof alone should collect up to 550 litres of rainwater.
|
|
 |
Sphagnum moss is vital for ecological regeneration, restoring damaged peatlands and wet moorland habitats, capturing carbon and slowing down rainwater to prevent flooding. It builds and maintains peat bogs, which store vast amounts of carbon and regulate water systems. The moss grown at Woodville will be harvested and reintroduced to the Yorkshire Dales to restore water levels and trap carbon underground
North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub Annual Report
 The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub is here to help local areas and communities meet their energy ambitions – meeting future energy demand for regional economic growth in the fastest and most cost-effective way, reducing organisational costs and even generating income for communities.
Read the Annual Report 2026 which like the Energising Britain event that was hosted in Bradford showcases the incredible work happening in the cities, towns and villages of the North East and Yorkshire, by local authorities, private businesses and communities themselves - and we know of at least one new project which has got underway because of the event!
Recycle Week
 Sparing recyclables from the general waste bin and giving them a chance of a new life is the theme of this year’s Recycling Week.
We are backing this year’s national recycling campaign which runs from 14 to 26 September.
According to research by WRAP, 57% of households miss one or more items which could be recycled in their recycling bins.
Items that end up in the wrong bin because people don’t think they can be recycled include toothpaste tubes, toilet rolls and shampoo bottles.
The Government’s Simpler Recycling legislation, introduced earlier this year, means all local authorities will collect the same recyclable items, with food waste collections being introduced in those areas that did not already have them. Food waste collections are currently being rolled out across Bradford District, over the next few months.
For information on recycling, check our recycling pages. For information on food waste collections, see the food waste web page.
Free cycling lessons, rides and bike workshops
Cycling lessons and rides are available for complete beginners through to more confident riders wanting to develop their skills.
Ride events are held across Bradford district, including wellbeing rides, one-to-one cycling sessions and free bike maintenance training.
You can book lessons and rides and if you don't have a bike you may be able to borrow one along with a bike helmet. See the full calendar of events via the button below.
Would a heat pump would work in a home like yours?
Heat pumps are the best current technology to support decarbonisation of homes but many people say they have never seen a heat pump in real life.
 Visit a Heat Pump is a free service from the charity Nesta that connects you with people near you who already have one.
You can now message a heat pump host via the platform with questions they may have about the installation process or living with a heat pump. And of course, with thousands of visits that have already taken place, hosts can arrange events and users can book to visit a heat pump near them.
Nearly new school uniform now more accessible to families
Living Well Schools is working with schools and community organisations across the Bradford district to help make nearly new school resources such as school uniform, PE kits, coats, shoes, and bags, more accessible to families.
The project began after schools highlighted the need to reduce uniform costs for families, and after receiving requests from parents who wanted to donate good quality school resources for other pupils to use. Since April, we have been working with schools and local organisations to understand what helps these schemes succeed and what support is needed to make them sustainable.
We’re currently gathering case studies and examples of good practice. Many schools and organisations are telling us about the benefits of reducing textile waste, avoiding additional carbon emissions, lowering costs for families, and giving school items a second life. Resources to support schools and community groups in measuring sustainability outcomes are currently being developed and will be shared when completed.
If you would like to see a nearly new school resources scheme in your area, please speak to your school or a local community organisation. These schemes rely on donations and volunteer support, so any help from families is always welcome.
For more information on the project, or for support in setting up provision click "Find out more".
We will highlight the new grants and funding with additional information and then list any grants or funds that remain open with their end date.
Turn your energy challenges into opportunities
Northern Powergrid Foundation helps communities across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire turn their energy challenges into opportunities. The Foundation provides funding and support to community organisations so they can tackle local energy-related challenges and build stronger, more inclusive communities, particularly when people are facing hardship or emergencies.
The next round of assessments will start on 22 September, and community organisations will be able to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to build community energy resilience. Projects often focus on creating community hubs with solar panels, back up batteries and generators, keeping people safe and connected during power outages while promoting renewable energy.
The Methodist Church – Feasibility Funding
Up to £10,000 is available to Methodist churches and circuits to explore and develop early-stage property projects that support their mission and contribute to the Methodist church’s commitment to become net zero carbon by 2030. Grants can support up to 60% of costs but require 40% match funding.
There is no deadline for applications
The New Allotment Site Fund
Green Allotments funds the purchase of land for new non-profit allotment sites in England. The New Allotment Site Fund, which funds up to £50,000 per acre of new allotment land, is best suited to residents who want to create a new allotment site.
The management of sites must be community-led with a strong focus on environmental stewardship.
Funding for community-led Tree Planting Projects
Community groups, schools, and local organisations can apply for grants to support tree planting and conservation projects on public or publicly accessible land through the International Tree Foundation’s 2025 UK Community Tree Planting Programme. Funding is available for planting between 100 and 10,000 trees per year, with up to £2.15 provided per tree for woodlands and hedging, plus two maintenance grants of £0.10 per tree in the first two summers after planting.
Projects may also include community engagement and educational activities.
The first assessment round will take place on 1 October 2026, with the main grants awarded shortly afterwards. Subsequent awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to available funding. The final application deadline is 11 December 2026.
Aviva Communities Fund
Match funding of up to £25,000 is available to charities, CIOs, CICs and CLGs for projects focused on climate action or financial wellbeing.
Applications will be received until all funding is allocated.
A new fund to help create stronger, greener and more sustainable local communities
The npower Business Solutions Fund is offering grants of up to £100,000 to help create stronger, greener and more sustainable local communities. Applications are being accepted from not-for-profit or educational institutions that are located within a 50 mile radius of npower Business Solutions’ offices in Solihull and Leeds.
No application deadline is given for the fund.
John Ellerman Foundation
UK charitable organisations can apply for grants of up to £60,000 per year for up to three years that address the triple planetary crisis of reducing social polarisation and building trust; promoting equitable economic systems and advancing equity and justice.
Funding provides multi-year core funding of up to £180,000 in total to strengthen organisational capacity and long-term impact. It can cover salaries, operational costs, monitoring and evaluation, communications, digital development and other essential core expenditure rather than one-off project costs.
Examples of the type of actions that could be supported include. Building greater trust and connection, reducing polarisation within society and increasing the levels of participation and influence in the political process (which is sometimes referred to as political equality).
The Foundation prioritises organisations that take a systems-level approach and actively involve communities with lived experience in shaping solutions. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and there is no fixed closing date. Previously supported work has included environmental restoration initiatives, programmes strengthening democratic participation, and organisations advancing social and economic justice across the UK.
Sport England – The Movement Fund
Sport England has set aside £16 million from its £160 million Movement Fund to create the Green Sport Initiatives strand, aimed at helping community clubs and activity groups cut their carbon footprint and encourage wider participation in eco-friendly sport.
Successful projects must demonstrate a clear delivery plan, deliver tangible local benefits and address one of the six Every Move priorities: just transition - inequalities, inclusion and participation; energy and resources - carbon emissions from travel and facilities; energy and resources - circular economy for supply chains, products and waste; nature - blue-green environment quality and use; nature – biodiversity; resilience: adapting to climate change and extreme weather events.
There is no closing date for applications.
Loan Programme to help charities with rising energy costs
Charities and social enterprises in England which are struggling with rising energy costs can apply for unsecured loans of between £20,000 and £200,000 to install energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.
The lending programme will enable organisations to save money on energy by installing a variety of measures such as more efficient lights, insulation or heat pumps, replacing old boilers systems with new efficient ones, double glazing improvements, and systematic draught improvements to help keep costs down.
The funding is being made available by Big Issue Invest through their Big Energy Saving Loans. Organisations should register their interest in the first instance.
No specified closing date.
Energy Resilience Fund
The Energy Resilience Fund (ERF) is providing a blended funding package of loan (60%) and grant (40%) to improve the energy resilience of eligible charities and social enterprises in England.
Incorporated voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations that are looking to install energy saving measures or generation technology to buildings/ land, and/ or to purchase energy efficient or environmentally friendly vehicles or equipment are invited to apply for the fund. If required, the fund will arrange an energy audit before continuing with the application process.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are unable to access mainstream bank lending for the work. There is no deadline for applications.
Groundwork Postcode Lottery Grassroots Grants
Groundwork is working with Postcode Lottery for a third year to deliver Grassroots Grants. This year, the programme will provide funding to 700 small, local organisations in England that are making a positive difference in their communities.
Unrestricted grants of between £500 and £2,000 can be accessed by voluntary or community organisations, including registered charities/companies, whose annual turnover is no more than £25,000.
The fund supports projects that enable participation in the arts, improve green spaces and outdoor access, prevent or reduce the impact of poverty, support mental health and help marginalised groups tackle inequality.
To apply for a grant please complete the eligibility checker. If you meet the programme criteria you will then receive a link to the application form.
Deadline is 30 September 2026
Open Grants and Funding:
Share and contribute to our newsletter ...
Interested in your local environment? Do you know someone who would like this newsletter? Please forward it to them so they can sign up using the link below.
If you have any questions, or want to share your stories, events or updates, please email us at Sustainability@bradford.gov.uk
|
