Climate Action Fund – Food Systems (UK)

The National Lottery Community Fund is now accepting applications for its Climate Action Fund – Food Systems programme. This major funding opportunity supports large-scale, long-term projects that aim to strengthen food systems, reduce food insecurity, and deliver lasting benefits for the climate, environment, and communities across the UK.

The fund focuses on systems change, supporting partnerships that work with nature, promote equitable access to healthy food, and address the root causes of food insecurity.

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Key Funding Details

• Funding Amount: £2.5 million to £7 million

• Typical Awards: £3 million – £5 million

• Project Duration: 5 to 7 years

• Minimum Duration: 3 years

• Location: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

• Programme Status: Open to applications

• Decision Timeline: Approximately 39 weeks

• Projects Funded (Year 1): Up to 10

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Funding Purpose

The Climate Action Fund – Food Systems aims to support projects that:

• Strengthen food systems while protecting the planet

• Increase access to healthy, affordable food

• Reduce food insecurity, especially for people experiencing poverty, disadvantage, or discrimination

• Create long-term, transformational change rather than short-term fixes

The fund prioritises work that uses agroecological approaches and systems-change thinking to reshape how food is produced, distributed, and accessed.

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Funding Aims

Projects must meet at least one of the following aims:

1. Improve Food Production Through Agroecology

Support community organisations to grow and produce food using nature-friendly, sustainable, and equitable methods.

2. Improve Food Distribution Systems

Create fairer systems that ensure equitable access to healthy, affordable food for all.

3. Expand Food Choices for Communities

Offer diverse food options, particularly for communities affected by poverty, disadvantage, or discrimination, while reducing reliance on emergency or surplus food provision.

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What Is Meant by Systems Change?

The fund supports work that leads to transformational, long-lasting change, such as:

• Addressing root causes, not symptoms

• Preventing food insecurity before it happens

• Changing policies, practices, or behaviours

• Giving communities greater control over food systems

• Developing scalable or replicable models

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Who Can Apply

Applications must be submitted as a partnership. Eligible organisations include:

• Registered charities

• Community Interest Companies (CICs)

• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs/SCIOs)

• Companies limited by guarantee (not-for-profit)

• Community benefit societies

• Co-operative societies (not-for-profit)

• Public bodies (e.g. local authorities, councils)

• Schools, colleges, and universities (where projects benefit the wider community)

Some organisations are required to have an asset lock, particularly CICs and non-charitable companies limited by guarantee.

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Partnership Requirements

Funded projects must be delivered by formal partnerships that:

• Share roles, responsibilities, and funding

• Involve communities in project design and delivery

• Ensure equitable access to funding and resources

• Include strong governance and capacity building

• Work across sectors and disciplines

• Share learning across the food and climate sectors

Private sector partners may be included if they provide match funding or pro bono support.

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Who Cannot Apply

The fund does not accept applications from:

• Individuals or sole traders

• Organisations based outside the UK

• For-profit companies that distribute profits

• Organisations applying to multiple National Lottery funds for the same project

• Single organisations applying alone (partnerships are mandatory)

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Criteria Your Project Must Meet

All projects must demonstrate that they will:

• Work in a meaningful partnership

• Deliver lasting impact on climate, environment, and nature

• Significantly increase access to healthy, affordable food

• Support communities experiencing poverty or disadvantage

• Measure and evaluate impact effectively

• Share learning and inspire others

• Involve communities in decision-making and delivery

Projects in Wales must be delivered bilingually (Welsh and English).

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What the Funding Can Be Used For

Eligible costs include:

• Staff and sessional worker costs

• Partnership coordination and management

• Community engagement and participation

• Organisational development and governance

• Learning, evaluation, and impact measurement

• Equipment and tools

• Transport, utilities, and running costs

• Translation and interpretation services

• Some capital costs (e.g. land access, equipment)

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What Will Not Be Funded

Funding will not support:

• Single-organisation projects

• Capital-only projects

• Solar panels or EV charging infrastructure

• Projects replacing government funding

• Retrospective costs

• Profit-making or fundraising activities

• Religious activities without wider community benefit

• Party-political campaigning

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Application Process

Step 1: Initial Conversation

Contact the fund team at climateactionfund@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk with:

• Lead contact details

• Organisation name

They will discuss your idea and confirm suitability.

Step 2: Online Application

Eligible applicants will be invited to apply online. The process includes two stages and may take up to 9 months from submission to final decision.

Applicants must agree to the fund’s terms and conditions and comply with UK subsidy control rules.

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Why Apply?

This fund offers a rare opportunity to:

• Secure large-scale, long-term funding

• Transform food systems at local, regional, or national levels

• Address climate change and food inequality together

• Build powerful cross-sector partnerships

• Create models that can influence policy and practice across the UK

• APPLY HERE 
• FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES CLICK HERE