Applications are open for Eden Geothermal’s £20k Community Fund, set up to support projects in the parishes of Treverbyn, Luxulyan, Carlyon and St Blaise.

Small grants of between £500 and £5k are available for projects which benefit local people and improve the local environment or community facilities.

Applicants should be formally constituted groups, with a community, social, educational or charitable purpose, and must be based in one of Eden’s four neighbouring parishes. Full guidance, details of how to apply and contacts for the team managing the fund are set out here. The deadline for applications is March 31.

Augusta Grand, executive director of Eden Geothermal Limited, said: “We hope this fund will help local groups to make a difference to their communities. We know there are some brilliant projects out there, and we’re really happy to be able to support some of them.”

Eden Geothermal Ltd has been set up by three partners, the Eden Project, EGS Energy Ltd, and Bestec (UK) Ltd, to unlock the geothermal energy deep in the granite beneath the Eden Project site near St Austell.

Eden Geothermal Ltd runs the Eden Geothermal Project, an industrial research project which plans to drill a 4.5km deep geothermal well at the Eden Project to heat its famous Biomes, greenhouses and offices. The project is co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, Cornwall Council and an institutional investor.  Drilling is due to start in the spring.