Kirkcaldy community-led charity longlisted for a prestigious award

Greener Kirkcaldy has been nominated for the Ashden Award for Green Communities.

Ashden, a UK charity, has been supporting transformative climate solutions for 20 years. More than 800 organisations applied for the 2021 awards, and Greener Kirkcaldy is one of just 38 to have made it to the longlisting stage, with only four organisations in the ‘green communities’ category.

Award winners will be announced this Autumn – after a rigorous assessment and judging process involving on-the-ground visits and input from sector experts.

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Greener Kirkcaldy is a community-led charity and development trust working locally to combat the climate emergency, tackle fuel poverty and food insecurity.

Based in the heart of Kirkcaldy – with a community building, bike shop and garden – it carries out activities across Kirkcaldy and works with partners to deliver projects across Fife.

Suzy Goodsir, chief executive, said: “This longlisting recognises the innovative and hard work of our staff, management committee and amazing team of volunteers over the last 12 years.

"Greener Kirkcaldy has been working in Kirkcaldy since 2009, delivering a range of ambitious projects, events and skills training to meet the needs and goals of local people – working towards a future where everyone can live better and tread more lightly on our planet.”

Since 2010, Greener Kirkcaldy has supported the Kirkcaldy community to save over 45,000 tonnes of carbon, by reducing energy use, driving and flying less, growing food, cooking from scratch and reducing waste. 40,000 people have taken part in their projects and services, 12,490 households have reduced their energy use and participants have saved £4,017,687 by reducing energy use and increasing energy efficiency at home.

Suzy continued: “This year, we further supported our community to meet the additional demands of Covid-19. Our community chef and volunteers made and delivered over 9,000 home cooked meals to people struggling to access food and our energy advisors supported over 3,000 households to stay warm and manage their bills, helping participants save £850,000.”

Suzy added: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to our staff, volunteers, partners, funders and amazing community for all of your support – we couldn’t have done all of this without you.”

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