The Greater Manchester Carbon Co-op have got through to the final round, and are one of just 6 projects, out of hundreds from accross the country, in the running to win a £100,000 award from the Energy Share award. Matt Fawcett, of the Carbon Co-op says, "It's a public vote so if you've got 2 minutes to vote for us that would really help out. Voting is done in rounds, so if you voted for us in the last round please do so again in this one (votes aren't carried across). Those of you who do any kind of social media type things please do spread it to you and yours as well."

Voting closes 3rd December -  click here to vote!

Middlewood Trust is seeking support to help win some money from Energy Share to develop an innovative hydro-electric system ..

Water gives life on its journey to the sea and replenishes springs if its liquid crystal structure is treated with respect. Natural water loves to flow in vortices that cool, purify and energise its structure. As the water temperature approaches 4 deg C it becomes more dense and reduces in volume. This creates a suction vacuum to pull more water behind it making the flow increase in speed and accumulate energy. Funnelling the flow channel speeds up the water flow. When water has learnt to flow with a natural centripetal vortex, it takes on an imploded structure that has great healing properties for humans and the natural world. This imploded water has a large amount of energy that can be used sensitively to create a very effective hydro- electricity generator.

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FREE sustainability programme for third sector organisations in Greater Manchester

MERCi is one of the leading sustainable development charities in the North West of England. We run and manage programmes to enable individuals, groups and organisations to live and work in a more sustainable way; environmentally, socially and economically.

The SUSTAINING CHANGE programme is a Big Lottery Funded programme which aims to work with the third sector (charities, voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises, cooperatives) to operate in a more sustainable way. We do this through offering FREE sustainability audits, FREE training, a FREE members network, FREE events and FREE peer mentoring.

We currently have 82 programme members throughout Greater Manchester. However, the representation from the green/ environmental sector is lacking. The programme doesn't just focus on environmental practices- an area in which these groups already excel. It also looks at the social aspects of sustainability; how do you include staff and service users in decision making; how do you ensure your service users are getting the service they want; how do you promote and market your successes, if at all; how do you create mutually benefical partnerships.....

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