Community-led climate action flourished across Westmorland and Furness in June thanks to Locality Board funding for Great Big Green Week.
Westmorland and Furness Council is celebrating the tremendous success of Great Big Green Week 2025, with over 1,800 residents directly participating in 23 funded local events made possible through generous Locality Board grants.
This year’s theme, ‘Swap Together for Good’, inspired an incredible variety of grassroots activities that empowered communities to tackle climate change, strengthen social connections and promote sustainability.
The council’s three Locality Boards awarded £5,000 in total to support projects across the Eden, South Lakeland and Furness areas, helping to make 2025 the most vibrant Great Big Green Week yet.
From clothes swaps and wellbeing walks to composting workshops and community food growing projects, the funded events were attended by 1,816 people across the area. Even more were reached through CandoFM Radio’s dedicated ‘Green Week of Broadcasting’ which engaged an estimated 8,000 listeners. Additionally, 117 new volunteers were recruited through these funded events, adding to the fantastic group of people across the area who are willing to donate their time to raising awareness of the climate crisis and/or get involved in practical projects which will help reduce carbon emissions.
Libraries across Westmorland and Furness also actively took part in this year’s Great Big Green Week, hosting their own events and highlighting their ongoing contribution to sustainability through the core principle of reuse - lending books and other resources to their communities.
The success of the week was further supported by the vital input and promotion from the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership and Futureproof Cumbria whose ongoing commitment to community-led climate action helped to amplify awareness and engagement across the area. Additional funding was also provided by the National Lottery Community Fund and the ‘Place to Plate’ project as part of Innovate UK Pathfinder Places.
Councillor Giles Archibald, Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said:
“We’ve seen just how powerful a small investment in community-led action can be. The events not only helped residents reduce their environmental impact by swapping clothes, plants and tools instead of buying new but also created welcoming, inclusive spaces where people of all backgrounds could learn, connect and take action.
“I’d like to thank all of the volunteers, partners and organisations who contributed to this remarkable week. The event’s growing popularity is a testament to the collective commitment to creating a greener, fairer future. Planning is now underway for next year and we look forward to seeing even more inspiring events, new ideas and community spirit come together to make an even bigger impact.”
Councillors Lorna Baker, Tony Callister and Suzanne Pender, Chairs of the Locality Boards, added:
“We’re incredibly proud to see how our communities once again embraced Great Big Green Week. The enthusiasm, ambition and care shown by local groups was outstanding. We’re delighted to be able to support these initiatives with funding, helping to unlock their full potential. These events show the real impact that small amounts of funding can have in empowering people to come together, take climate action and strengthen local connections.”
Helen Attewell, Cumbria Sustainability Network Coordinator at Futureproof Cumbria, said:
“Great Big Green Week is a really heart-warming celebration of climate and nature. It’s a great opportunity for communities to come together each year and ‘do their bit’ for the environment. I’m so impressed by all the volunteer effort, imagination and enthusiasm that goes into creating such a wonderful programme of activities and I’m very grateful to the Westmorland and Furness Council Locality Boards for their continuing support for the initiative. Next year, Great Big Green Week will be held on 6-14 June 2026, so please mark that in your calendar now!”
Read more about Great Big Green Week activity on the Zero Carbon Cumbria website.
