Funding for Local Action on Climate Challenges (UK)

ChangeX, established in 2015, is an international non-profit organisation, headquartered in Dublin, with teams based across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. It is a community engagement platform designed to get funding and resources directly into the hands of ordinary people to lead impactful projects in their neighbourhoods. It works with social innovators to scale proven solutions to environmental, economic and social issues and partners with companies and foundations to support local communities with the necessary funding. Its funders include ServiceNow, the LEGO Foundation and Paramount, among others.

Objectives of Fund

The funding aims to enable communities within the UK to take meaningful local action to tackle climate challenges.

This year's funding is intended for non-profit organisations and schools across the UK to start or expand water, solar, or nature-based community projects.

Applicants can submit their own project for funding or apply for support to bring one of three proven, high-impact climate ideas to their community.

The proven ideas on offer through the fund are:

Ecosystem Restoration Communities (ERC), a programme focused on 'regreening' the planet by rebuilding soil, fixing water systems, and increasing local biodiversity on degraded land.
Precious Plastic, an initiative designed to reduce plastic waste by encouraging communities to recycle plastic and turn plastic waste into valuable products.
Youth-Led Solar, a project that sees teenagers plan, fund and implement a real photovoltaic installation in their community.

How much can I apply for?

Grants of up to £25,000 per project are available. It is anticipated that a total of three to five projects will be funded in the UK.

Grants of up to:

• £11,000 for Youth-Led Solar, from classroom to kilowatts.
• £18,000 for Ecosystem, Restoration Communities.
• £20,000 for Precious Plastic Workspaces.

Who Can Apply

Applicant must be a school or a registered non-profit organisation eligible to receive grant funding (relevant documentation will need to be provided) in the UK.

The organisation's representative submitting the application must be at least 18 years old.

Projects should include opportunities for ServiceNow employees to volunteer in the project activation or implementation.

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Cost of work that has already been carried out or anything that is not related to the setup and maintenance of the community project.
• If applying to start a proven idea, payments to group members for their work on the project.
• Promotion of religious causes, non-charitable activities, sponsorship or fundraising events.
• Promotion of or engagement in criminal acts of violence, terrorism, hate crimes, money laundering, bribery, corruption, discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, religion, military and veteran status, disability, sex, age, gender identity or sexual orientation, destruction of any state, or support of any entity that engages in these activities.

Eligible Expenditure

To be eligible, projects must:

• Take place within the UK.
• Address the theme of sustainable infrastructure (water or solar) or nature-based solutions, with an emphasis on supporting positive, inclusive outcomes for local communities.
• The funding can be used to cover direct set-up costs of the new community project. For example space rental, insurance fees, seeds and planting materials, tools, training fees; any materials needed for a project that benefits the community.

How To Apply

The guidelines, terms and conditions and application form can be found on the ChangeX website.

ServiceNow Community Improvement Fund United Kingdom

The deadline for applications is 19 June 2026 (for decisions by the end of July 2026).

Contact ChangeX for further information.

Enquiries:

ChangeX
Dogpatch Labs
Custom House Quay
Dublin 1
Email: support@changex.org

ServiceNow
8 Salisbury Square
London
EC4Y 8BB