The Great Big Climate Circus

 

£1.49 Million Secured from The National Lottery Community Fund

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Thanks to National Lottery players, The Great Big Climate Circus has been awarded £1.49 million over four years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.

This significant investment launches a bold, youth-led creative climate programme working across Gloucestershire.

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A Youth-Led Climate Movement Begins

The project has now officially entered its mobilisation phase.

Over the coming months we will be:

• Recruiting and building the core delivery team

• Strengthening partnerships across the county

• Working directly with young people to co-design the programme.

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Public events and on-the-ground activity will begin Spring 2026.

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What Is The Great Big Climate Circus?

The Great Big Climate Circus is a touring, youth-led creative programme working across 12 communities in Gloucestershire.

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Through circus, music, performance, visual arts and hands-on activities, young people, artists, environmental partners and local residents will come together to shape climate action that feels:

• Hopeful

• Creative

• Inclusive

• Rooted in place

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Rather than focusing on fear or blame, the project uses joy and shared experiences to make climate action accessible and relevant to everyday life.

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This is important because:

Young people consistently tell us they want to engage with climate and nature issues — but rarely feel genuinely listened to or supported to lead.

The Great Big Climate Circus will:

• Support 720 young people to co-create events and projects

• Engage around 6,000 community members across four years

• Support 120 young people into deeper climate action pathways

• Share learning nationally through a youth-led engagement toolkit

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This is about building a generation of confident climate leaders and stronger, more connected communities.

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Year One Focus

Year one activity will take place in:

• Stroud

• Dursley

• Gloucester

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Creative engagement and Climate Circus events will roll out from Spring 2026 following the current co-design and mobilisation phase.

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Partnership

The project is delivered in partnership by:

• Creative Sustainability

• World Jungle

• Bromford Flagship

• Cotswolds National Landscape

• Ernest Cook Trust

• On the Brink Arts

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Together, we bring expertise in youth participation, environmental action, creative practice and community engagement.

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Get Involved

Communities, young people and organisations interested in being part of The Great Big Climate Circus can now register their interest.

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Whether you want to:

• Join as a young leader

• Host activity

• Collaborate as an organisation

• Support or sponsor locally

• Receive updates

    Register your interest using our online form here.

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About The National Lottery Climate Action Fund

This funding comes from the Climate Action Fund, a £100 million commitment from The National Lottery Community Fund supporting communities across the UK to take action on climate change