5 pointers for applicants

With the application deadline for the Big Green Challenge now only two weeks away, I thought I’d share my top five pointers to help you with your entry.

1. While entries to the Big Green Challenge must be from ‘groups of people’ and those groups must be not-for-profit, there are very few other restrictions. This means you can either set up a new group just to enter or enter as a group or not-for-profit organisation that already exists. Whoever you are, you should think about how you involve other people – you could link up with existing groups in your area or include people from your wider community to develop your idea.

2. We’re looking for fresh thinking on climate change but that doesn’t mean your idea has to be 100% brand new. You could be applying an old idea in a new way or have come up with a better way to encourage the take-up of existing measures. Think laterally about how to tackle the carbon emissions people produce in their everyday lives.

3. This is an ambitious project, and we want YOU to be ambitious about what you can achieve with your ideas. We think if people work together they can have a big impact, which is why we want to see how close you can get to a 60% cut in emissions. Do bear in mind that this is a target to aim towards and we’re interested in how close you can get to it. If you get through to the next stage we will also be able to advise you on how to measure this reduction.

4. The end goal of a share of the £1 million prize pot can seem far away, but remember that we’ll be providing support to the Big Green Challenge competitors in the next two stages of the competition so you won’t have to go it alone.

5. There’s lots of useful info in our FAQs and rules but if you have any questions at all on how to apply, we’re here to help. Call the helpline on 020 7438 2664 or email admin@biggreenchallenge.org.uk.