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»ÆÉ«²Ö¿â Leicester (»ÆÉ«²Ö¿â) has secured more than £1.3m in National Lottery funding to lead a major new community-driven climate initiative aimed at embedding sustainability in some of the city’s most deprived neighbourhoods.

The three-year scheme, called Leicester Environmental Action and Future (LEAF), will bring together five grassroots organisations working with diverse communities across the city.

Backed by the National Lottery Community Fund, the programme will establish a climate action hub at »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â, designed to support local people in cutting emissions, improving wellbeing and influencing climate policy.

Partner groups – Leicester Nirvana Football Club, Somali Development Services CIC, ZamZam Unlimited Possibilities CIC, Saffron Acres and One Roof Leicester – will receive funding to deliver their own climate-related projects, from community gardening and recycling drives to arts-based workshops and youth training.

“These are communities that are often overlooked in the climate debate,” said Dr Mark Charlton, »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â’s Associate Professor of Sustainable Development and project lead.

“Homes here are older and harder to heat, green spaces are limited, and people are less likely to hear about grants or schemes that could help.

“LEAF puts power and resources directly into their hands, creating a legacy of climate leaders across Leicester.”

The project aims to train more than 150 staff and volunteers in carbon literacy and involve at least 1,500 residents in sustainability activities. Regular public events, youth climate education programmes and an annual »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â-hosted climate conference are also planned.

»ÆÉ«²Ö¿â has a longstanding partnership with the United Nations (UN), and was chosen earlier this year as the global hub for one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - SDG 11, building sustainable cities and communities.

Leicester Nirvana FC

Leicester, one of the UK’s most diverse cities, ranks in the top 10% of most deprived local authorities in England – a factor that often leaves its communities at the sharp end of fuel poverty and climate vulnerability.

LEAF’s backers hope the project will demonstrate how locally driven, co-produced approaches to climate action can be scaled up across the region and beyond.

Local groups say the funding represents a turning point. “This empowers us to enhance our environmental initiatives and promote sustainability to our players and supporters,” said Ivan Liburd of Leicester Nirvana Football Club. “It shows that grassroots football can play a pivotal role in tackling the climate crisis.”

Others echoed that sense of opportunity. “We’re incredibly proud and excited to receive support,” said ZamZam Yusuf of ZamZam Unlimited Possibilities CIC. “With this funding, we can open more doors, create more opportunities, and help young people feel confident that they can make a difference.”

Salma Ravat, One Roof Leicester, said: “The Climate Action Funding gives One Roof Leicester the unique opportunity to develop and deliver a range of sustainability training and projects for our residents and volunteers.”

Maryan Anshur, Somali Development Services CIC, said: “This funding will not only empower us to deliver vital environmental activities but also create lasting positive impacts, fostering resilience, improving well-being, and driving a more sustainable future for everyone we work with.”

Laura Gray, Saffron Acres, said: “Creating strong foundations is imperative to really being able to build something lasting for the future, and here at Saffron, we are proud to be involved at the start of something so extraordinary and significant.”

A dedicated LEAF section will be launched on »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â’s website to showcase resources, events and case studies, while the National Lottery Community Fund will share lessons from the project as part of its national Climate Action Fund.