Information on Loughborough

Andy Reed Challenges Groups in Loughborough to Think Green

Posted on 11/02/2008
T. Robson

glass of beer in a  pubLoughborough MP Andy Reed has today pledged support for the Big Green Challenge, a £1 million competition from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) to encourage people across the UK to work together to tackle climate change.

Designed to develop home-grown ideas into UK-wide carbon-cutting initiatives, the Big Green Challenge is open to groups of people and not-for-profit organisations of all shapes and sizes who can think of new ways to reduce the carbon emissions of a community. 

With applications for the Challenge open until the 29th February 2008, Reed is keen to encourage local groups from Loughborough to put forward their green ideas to be in with a chance of winning a share of the £1m prize fund on offer.

Commenting on the Challenge, Reed said said:

“I would like to personally encourage groups in Loughborough to put their heads together and come up with some ideas for a chance to win substantial funding to help improve our local environment.  I am confident Loughborough can come up with the kind of great ideas that could have a real impact on climate change not just locally but across the UK.”

Application forms are available online at www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk

In March, NESTA will select up to 100 groups and provide them with support to work up their ideas in more detail.  These competitors will then be whittled down to a short list of ten finalists, each of whom will receive £20,000, mentoring and support to put their ideas into practice over a year. 

The group with the most imaginative and successful approach at the end of the competition will win the biggest share of £1 million.  The money will be spent on projects that benefit the community.

Those interested in taking part in the Big Green Challenge should go to www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk to find out more and submit an application form.