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Community Foundation North East, in partnership with Environmental Funders Network, hosted its first ever Environment Conference, bringing together leaders and organisations from across the country to explore how philanthropy can support a greener future for everyone.
Held at Wylam Brewery, the event welcomed business leaders, community groups and national voices to discuss the role of funding in tackling environmental challenges, both locally and as part of wider national conversations.
A key message from the day was clear: philanthropy has the power to create a real, tangible impact for grassroots projects and communities across the North East.
Attendees heard from a range of inspiring speakers, including Tessa Khan of Uplift and Emma Howard Boyd of the National Heat Risk Commission and ClientEarth. Young people also played a central role, with young people and staff from NE Youth Alliance attending the event. The young people shared their perspectives through presentations, artwork, and a creative, humorous video that brought energy and fresh insight to the day.
The conference also marked the relaunch of our newly named North East Environment Fund, with match funding available up to £25,000 for new donations, an important step in growing support for environmental work across the region.
John Hollingsworth, Chief Philanthropy and Development Officer at Community Foundation North East, said:
“This conference showed just how powerful philanthropy can be in supporting environmental action, particularly at a grassroots level. Bringing together such a diverse mix of voices, from national leaders to local organisations and young people, highlighted both the urgency of the challenges we face and the strength of the solutions already happening here in the North East. The relaunch of the North East Environment Fund is an important step in building on that momentum.”
Nick Gardner, Executive Director at EFN, added:
“The Environmental Funders Network is dedicated to delivering more and better funding for positive environmental impact. At last week’s event we were presented with many fantastic examples of how communities, government actors, charities and funders are enabling climate action across the North East. It was an inspiring day which we hope can amplify and catalyse the environmental work.”
A wide range of organisations contributed to discussions, including Northumberland National Park Authority, Environment Agency, Tyne Rivers Trust, and Scotswood Garden Limited, reflecting the strength and diversity of environmental action across the North East.
The event was kindly supported by Northern Powergrid Foundation and The North East Combined Authority.
To help grow this work and support grassroots environmental projects across the region, you can donate to the North East Environment Fund here.
A full list of organisations that contributed to the event can be found here:
Acomb Community Energy, Client Earth, Community Action Northumberland, Difference, Environmental Funders Network, Environment Agency/ Blue Green Newcastle, Going Green Together, Impatience Earth, North East Combined Authority, NE Youth Alliance, Northern Power Grid Foundation, Northumberland National Park, Recyke Y’Bike, Scotswood Natural Community Garden, Threads in the Ground, Tyne Rivers Trust, Uplift, West End Women and Girls Centre, Youth Focus NE.