The Antarctica in the Community Grant is a new scheme that is helping communities run their own event or project to explore and celebrate Antarctica and its important role in climate science. This scheme is made possible by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), supported by the British Antarctic Territory. 

Area: The UK

Suitable for: Community groups that are part of the BSA’s Community Engagement Network

Funding size: £500

Timeframe: Projects running from November 2022 to March 2023

GRANT APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED

From the historic first explorers of the 1800s to shaping climate science today, Antarctica has played an important part in understanding the world around us. Scientists have discovered that whatever happens to the weather, ice, and environment in Antarctica signals what will happen to the rest of the planet. Antarctica really does matter to us all.

We’re thrilled to be partnering with the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) to provide community groups with grants of £500 to help them explore and celebrate Antarctica’s important role in climate science.

The UKAHT preserves historic buildings and artefacts in Antarctica. They do this to help people discover, understand, value, and protect the ground-breaking scientific research that has happened over the last century in this extraordinary place. Find out more about their public engagement programme, Antarctica In Sight here.

Antarctica in the Community grant recipients 

• Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre in Whitstable
• The Black Box in Belfast
• Community Action to Inspire Hope in Durham
• BLAST Fest Ltd in Birmingham
• The Greek School of St Nicholas in Liverpool
• Oasis Community Church, Centre & Gardens in Worksop
• Sutton African & Caribbean Cultural Organisation in Sutton
• Summerwood Community Garden in Nottingham
• Cr:EEK in Aberystwyth
• Steamtistic in Chester
• Community Supporters in Bexhill-on-Sea
• Act On It in Selmeston
• It’s Your Life in London
• Zheng He Explorer Scout Unit in London
• BME Housing Consortium in Wolverhampton

 

What will each project involve?

Projects will be based on whichever aspects of Antarctica each community group finds most relevant and interesting, involving the following themes:

• Hidden Treasures – the historic sites and scientific artefacts we protect in Antarctica
• Amazing Lives – the climate scientists and researchers who have worked in Antarctica
• An Extraordinary Place – the amazing natural environment of Antarctica and the effects of climate change

Projects will be based on a range of topics, including the equipment used in Antarctica to measure the climate or the wildlife and biodiversity. Whatever each group decides, the BSA Community Engagement Team is on hand to support them in developing their ideas.  

In addition to funding, grant recipients will be invited to a webinar in February 2023. They’ll have the opportunity to meet members of the UKAHT team, including Ruth Mullett, Head of Buildings and Conservation, and Sophie Montagne, Head of Operations, who was an expedition leader on Operation Ice Maiden. Sophie was part of the first female team to ski across Antarctica unassisted. Grant holders will also hear from a leading scientist and researcher about living and working in Antarctica. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and find out more about climate science and the wonders of Antarctica.

If you have any questions, please get in touch at [email protected].

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