Community Climate Resilience
This project aims to strengthen the social fabric and infrastructure of local communities. We support grassroots community groups to develop the resilience and skills needed to support each other in the face of escalating climate shocks, economic uncertainty and rising polarisation.
The climate crisis has crossed a tipping point. It threatens to disrupt everything about our current way of life, from food shortages and power cuts to a breakdown in healthcare or civil unrest.
Yet the voices of division grow louder and falsely scapegoat climate action and racialised communities for the insecurity we all feel, rather than offering solutions that help our communities to prepare and thrive together.
Communities urgently need more support to build relationships, assets and trust that can increase our collective resilience to oncoming challenges and shocks.
Whether it’s extreme weather, pandemics, cost of living or civil unrest, we need solutions that enable people to respond with mutual aid and solidarity in times of crisis.
Resilience Times
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ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Community Climate Resilience Project consists of three key elements:
1. Community of Practice
We convene a Community of Practice that aims to connect practitioners and groups working to build their community’s resilience all over the UK.
It is a welcoming space for sharing learning, ideas, challenges and resources. We hold regular online meetings and connect through a WhatsApp Community, as well as occasional in-person gatherings.
2. Community Resilience Fund
The Fund supports a range of pilot projects with small grants (between £1000 to £10,000) for a year to test out exciting new and replicable ways of strengthening community-led climate resilience.
Funded projects also receive support from project staff and are invited to join the Community of Practice to share their learnings and challenges as projects progress.
3. Resistance and Resilience Gatherings
Starting in July 2026 we will be hosting a series of regional and national in-person gatherings to bring together groups and organisers working to build community resilience.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I join the community of practice?
So far the community of practice has been by invitation only but in 2026 we will be opening up to new members, including to those involved in newly-funded community climate resilience projects and participants in our regional and national Resistance and Resilience Gatherings
We recommend signing up to our newsletter below to find out more. You can also email us to express your interest in joining the community of practice.
Who can apply for funding?
Organisations or groups applying do not need to be constituted or formally registered, however they will need to demonstrate that their projects are aligned with the charitable purposes of the Community Climate Resilience Fund and the project’s organising principles.
What kind of projects will be funded?
This is fairly open, but the focus is on projects that can develop climate resilience and adaptation in ways that strengthen community relationships. Underlying this is an understanding that making progress towards climate resilience will not always be linear, and may often necessitate working in new and radical ways.
In general we’re looking to support ideas that may not otherwise be able to access more mainstream funding. For example, some projects funded to date have focused on food sovereignty, emergency preparedness kits, political education and community organising to build stronger relationships.
How do I apply for funding?
Before applying, please read this FAQ fuly to make sure you are eligible and that your projects fits. There is a simple online form to fill in where you can explain what you’re trying to achieve to build community climate resilience, how much it will cost, who it will engage and how it might be replicable by others. Before submission, you can seek advice and input in developing your proposal from either ACORN or Tipping Point.
Your project proposal will be assessed initially for eligibility and fit with the project’s aims. Eligible projects are circulated to the Community of Practice for review and decision. You may be asked to provide any additional information needed to reach a decision and generally you should receive a decision within about 2-3 months from submission.
If successful, the project partners will work with you to disburse the funds and support you in planning and delivering your project. You will also be invited to join the Community of Practice. During and at the end of your project, you will be asked to share any learnings and outcomes of your project, and to share any successful elements which could be replicable elsewhere via the Community of Practice.
Who is behind this project
This Community Climate Resilience project was initiated and is funded by the Network for Social Change.
The project is facilitated by staff from Scottish Climate Community Action Network (SCCAN), Tipping Point UK, and ACORN – the community union, alongside a core group of volunteers from the Network for Social Change.
Sign up to receive our seasonal newsletter packed with news, resources, events and inspiration.
By signing up I agree to receive email updates about the Community Climate Resilience project from the Network for Social Change and Tipping Point UK. I understand that Tipping Point UK always handles data securely in line with its privacy policy and that I can unsubscribe at any time.