Co-operative Eco-Fund to donate to environmental projects in the Channel Islands

Monday 06 June 2016

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society is donating thousands of pounds to environmental projects in the Channel Islands.

Applications open on 6 June for organisations to receive a share of The Co-operative Eco-Fund, which is made up from the money raised through the sale of carrier bags.

The fund was launched in 2008, when the Society led the way in charging 5p for a one-trip bag, to reduce consumption. Last year 12 benefactors in Jersey and eight in Guernsey received a share of the fund, which totalled £25,090.

The Society’s chief marketing officer, Greg Yeoman, said that as a major local business The Channel Islands Co-operative Society was dedicated to the communities in which it operates.

"We are very privileged to live in the Channel Islands, which are environmentally rich and diverse. Every islander has a part to play in ensuring that we do what we can to enhance, protect and make the most of what is around us. The Eco-Fund has supported some extraordinary projects that have had island wide benefits and past projects have included outdoor learning areas, monitoring of wildlife and encouraging children to cycle to school," he said.

In 2015 the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals received £2,000 for its Going Wild initiative, while La Houguette School was given £1,000 to help the school extend its outdoor learning area.

"We have fabulous grounds and are now using them weekly, with Welly Boot Wednesday for the early years and reception classes, where we have a story circle using logs and a wildflower meadow. We are in the process of getting the steps to the nature reserve reinstated and none of this would have been possible without the help of The Co-operative Eco-Fund, so we are very grateful," said Diane Thorogood, early years leader at La Houguette.

"We have also been able to buy two sturdy trollies which we use to carry the science set outside so that the pupils are able to use magnifying glasses, clip boards, bug pots, etc. The money has made a huge difference to the outdoor learning experience for the whole school."

In Jersey, the Winter Food Campaign – Birds on the Edge was given £2,000 to help it collate invaluable data on the importance of helping endangered birds, as well as perfecting management guidelines and advice to farmers; the Farm School Initiative received £2,000 to give children the opportunity to learn to grow crops and experience the farming process.

"Everyone at the Farm School Initiative is delighted with the support from The Co-operative’s Eco-Fund this year. We are using the grant to fund a class of 50 children from Janvrin School and have been very busy preparing for their arrival," said Grace Davies, from the Farm School Initiative.

The class will attend the farm once a week for six weeks. The students will have their own plot to care for and every week they will take home vegetables, salads and eggs, along with with a recipe. The aim is to teach them not only about farm life and growing processes, but that they can also enjoy healthy produce direct from the field. 

"It's a joy to be able to provide a service for a school without these kind of facilities. We could not possibly have done this without the help of the Co-op. We are completely overwhelmed with the positive response from the local community for farming in Jersey and educating the younger generation on where their food comes from," added Miss Davies.

Since the launch of the Eco-Fund in 2008 The Channel Islands Co-operative Society has donated more than £280,000 to environmental projects in Jersey and Guernsey. Bag consumption has dropped significantly – in the first year alone it was cut by 90%.

Applications for Eco-Fund donations this year must be submitted by 8 July 2016. To download an application form or apply online go to www.channelislands.coop/eco-fund.