Grants of up to £200,000 are available for organisations reducing reliance on soy and fertilisers in farming.
Round two of the Co-op Foundation’s £3.5million Carbon Innovation Fund (CIF) partnership with Co-op has opened for applications.
Grants of £75,000 to £200,000 are available to organisations working to reduce reliance on soy-based animal or fish feed and/or synthetic fertilisers.
This work will build upon the foundation’s plan to create more sustainable communities, as part of its new strategy - Building communities of the future together.
Funding follows on from £1.4m of grant-giving in round one that saw the partnership support organisations working to decrease carbon emissions from the food, farming and aquaculture industries.
The Carbon Innovation Fund is the largest partnership of its kind between Co-op and its charity, the Co-op Foundation. It is funded by Co-op donations from the sale of compostable carrier bags in the UK, as well as the Foundation’s own funds.
Between five and 10 grants are expected to be awarded, helping the Foundation to deliver on Co-op's vision of “Co-operating for a Fairer World”.
Nick Crofts, CEO of the Co-op Foundation, said: “The Carbon Innovation Fund is our largest ever partnership with Co-op and it truly embodies our shared commitment of co-operating for a fairer world.
“This second round of funding will help build more sustainable communities by reducing the environmental impact of the soy industry and synthetic fertilisers.
“We want to work closely with our partners, listen and learn and I’d encourage all those eligible for this funding to apply today.”
The Co-op Foundation is Co-op's charity and believe co‑operation is at the heart of strong communities
Adele Balmforth, director of propositions at Co-op, said: “Collaboration is key to unlocking the carbon reductions that are needed to protect our planet, which is why the Carbon Innovation Fund is so integral in our ambitious pathway to Net Zero.
“The second round of investment calls for innovations to deliver a sustainable food and farming industry for the future, with areas of focus that directly impact our supply chains - something that will not only support Co-op but the wider food industry.”
