Community Fund
If you are involved with a large organisation, we would love to hear from you. You have the manpower and resources available to you to effect real positive change. At Vegware, we support the efforts of a broad spectrum of clients to enhance their corporate social responsibility, and stay ahead of legislation.
In addition, Vegware gives direct support to non-profit groups through the Vegware Community Fund. You can find out what our projects are doing in words here or in pictures below.
Organisations that promote sustainability in the widest sense can apply for individual grants of £20-200 per month. The fund is intended to contribute to core running costs and act as a basis from which to either focus on their chosen task, or apply for project grants. If you are involved in enhancing any aspect of your local environment, whether built or natural, or involved in community projects, please get in touch.
Current funded projects
Greener Leith is an Edinburgh-based non-profit group dedicated to making Leith greener in every sense. They are using contribution from the Vegware Community Fund to employ a sessional worker to support green fingered volunteers grow more food in local community garden projects. Web link.
Green Up Your Act Education is based in the wider area around Brighton, and teaches the meaning of sustainability through workshops using a balance of discussion, practical activities and out of class learning. The project’s main objectives are to enable children to become aware of their own carbon footprint. They are taught this through the subjects of food, waste, recycling, energy production and pollution. By doing this they can see the importance of their impression on their own community and will hopefully learn to protect their direct environment. Many areas of the curriculum are covered, particularly science, geography and citizenship. Web link.
The Calder Food Hub is a Community Interest Company based in Hebden Bridge, Calder Valley. It was establised to address the lack of fruit and vegetables produced and sold locally.
The Royal Edinburgh Community Gardens is a project to transform several acres of land at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital into gardens where local residents, community groups and patients can grow together. Web link.
Rhubarb Farm is an environmental and social enterprise, based in North East Derbyshire, aiming to provide a service to people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, ex service personnel and the unemployed. Theraputic organic horticulture is used to improve health and well being. Web link.
Cilgwyn Community Group is a collective of of 40 + households in Cilgwyn village, near Newport, Pembrokeshire. They grow food, encourage and install renewable energy, share renewable electricity and use a local currency to trade. The Vegware grant supports the two hardy cyclists who distribute local produce twice a week, come rain or shine. Web link.
Broomhouse Health Strategy Group is a charity promoting healthy lifestyles in South West Edinburgh. A volunteer-run daily fruit and veg co-op shop ensures Broomhouse residents have access to good quality, low cost healthy produce. Volunteers even walk the veg to your door if have mobility issues. The centre also provides health drop-ins, walking clubs as well as healthy eating leaflets and delicious seasonal recipes. Web link.
Guba in Swaziland is our first non-UK group. Guba, meaning 'to dig' in SiSwati, was founded in May 2009 in an effort to make a positive contribution to the AIDS pandemic devastating Swaziland by alleviating poverty through training in sustainable agriculture, building & natural resource management strategies. See Guba's facebook page for photos of fence-building, compost toilets and new chicken runs.
Lauder Trading Post is a co-operative social enterprise based in Lauder in the Scottish Borders. They have established a fledgling arts & crafts centre in the local public hall, thereby reinvigorating its use and making it a sustainable facility for the rural community. They aim to provide workshops in modern and traditional crafts and provide employment opportunities for creative people within the community. They also host inspiring activities and events for locals and visitors to the Lauder area, including monthly brunches & craft markets and a new film & supper club.
Recent news and updates from our funded projects can be found on our news page.
