£1.49 Million Secured from The National Lottery Community Fund
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 across Gloucestershire, co-led by World Jungle and Creative Sustainability, in partnership with Bromford Flagship, Cotswolds National Landscape, and Ernest Cook Trust.
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.
Public events and on-the-ground activity will begin Spring 2026.
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.
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
Rather than focusing on fear or blame, the project uses joy and shared experiences to make climate action accessible and relevant to everyday life.
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
This is about building a generation of confident climate leaders and stronger, more connected communities.
Year One Focus
Year one activity will take place in:
- Stroud
- Dursley
- Gloucester
Creative engagement and Climate Circus events will roll out from Spring 2026 following the current co-design and mobilisation phase.
Partnership
The project is delivered in partnership by:
- Creative Sustainability
- World Jungle
- Bromford Flagship
- Cotswolds National Landscape
- Ernest Cook Trust
Together, we bring expertise in youth participation, environmental action, creative practice and community engagement.
Get Involved
Communities, young people and organisations interested in being part of The Great Big Climate Circus can now register their interest.
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. Register here link
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.
