For information about funding for energy audits and energy refurbishment see our Environmental sustainability page.

Landfill operators are taxed on their operations and some of this money goes back to the communities in the vicinity of landfill sites.  You can find out if there is a landfill site in your area here but it is always a good idea to check with the organisation directly to find out if you are eligible to apply.  Many parts of the Lake District are not eligible due to the absence of landfill sites. 

There are 4 main ways of accessing these funds:

1.  CWMET
The vast majority of churches in Cumbria access the Landfill Communities Fund through either Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust (CWMET) which is registered with Entrust as an Environmental Body.  Small grants (about £1,000) are available for churches which do not have a wider community use.  Larger grants of around £8,000 and occasionally up to £10,000 are available for churches which are open for non-ecclesiastical uses e.g. concerts, play groups etc.  
Funds can be used for refurbishment or restoration works or improving energy efficiency, for example from repairing windows to installing a new boiler.  The church must be open to the public and within 10 miles of a landfill site. 
Contact CWMET on 01768 242140 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2. WREN - Waste Recycling Environmental Limited has a number of grants for projects close to landfill sites:

• Small Grants (£2,000-£15,000) for community buildings or public spaces.  The total cost of the project must be under £50,000 and the project must be completed within 12 months of the funding decision.  The project must be within 10 miles of Bennet Bank near Barrow, LA14 4QH or Lillyhall near Workington, CA14 4JH.  Apply to WREN directly.
• Main Grant Scheme (£15,001-£75,000).  Apply to WREN directly.
• Heritage Fund (£15,001 minimum - £50,000 for grade I and II* listed buildings/churches for urgent, structural repairs deemed necessary within 2 years).  The building must be within 10 miles of any active landfill site.  You must have additional funding from elsewhere i.e. 10% of the WREN grant offer (see below). Apply to National Churches Trust (NCT) directly (see below).  The 2012 deadline is 1 March 2012.

To apply for the Heritage Grant, contact Alison Pollard, Grants Manager at NCT, tel:  020 7600 6090, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with information about the cost of the works and the funding gap. If your application is approved, you will have 28 days in which to secure the third party funding (i.e. 10% of the WREN grant offer).  Click here for more information about third party funding.

3.Biffa
Churches within 25 miles of the Biffa Carlisle Depot (St Ninian's Road, Upperby, CA2 4LR) can apply for a Biffaward.

4.  The Methodist Church
For Methodist chapels and churches, you can apply via the Methodist Church which is registered with Entrust as an Environmental Body.

You can apply to all of the funders for the same project.