KEEP IN TOUCH WWW.LANCASTER.AC.UK/ALUMNI | 17 Eden Project Morecambe Awarded £50m from Government’s Levelling Up Fund Keep up to date with University News www.lancaster.ac.uk/news University’s Forum To Make A ‘Positive Difference’ Nearly 100 individuals, businesses, community groups and a range of stakeholders came together at the recent Lancaster University Exchange to discuss how the community can work together to tackle the climate emergency. Representatives from local authorities, businesses, charities, further education colleges, the health sector and members of the public met at Lancaster Town Hall to discuss ongoing projects and potential opportunities to address sustainability issues and the climate emergency. The Exchange looked at how the local community could work together to achieve commitment to net-zero as individuals, organisations and through collaborative partnerships. It was opened by Pro-Chancellor of Lancaster University, the Rt Hon Alistair Burt and Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield, who provided an introduction and an update on the University’s successes and priorities. Professor Schofield said: “At the Lancaster University Exchange, it was great to see so many people together in one room with the common goal of wanting to make a difference. “We heard about some amazing projects including the Don’t Ditch It! campaign for students, repurposing unwanted items to give to new students and charities and a ‘Too Good To Go’ app where businesses are able to sell rather than throw food.” For further information visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/connect/ lancaster-university-exchange There are also other ways that external organisations can connect with Lancaster University, www.lancaster.ac.uk/connect for further information. The Eden Project has been awarded £50m in the second round of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund to build the new Eden Project Morecambe. The bid was submitted by Lancaster City Council, one of the Eden Project’s key partners on the Morecambe attraction, and was chosen as a recipient of the largest investment possible under the fund, earmarked for large-scale cultural regeneration projects. As the lead for the partnership bid, Lancaster City Council will be the recipient of the funding and will work with partners to ensure it is allocated in accordance with Government requirements. Eden Project Morecambe is the new official name for the project, which has previously been known as Eden Project North. An expanded project delivery team will be created in preparation for the construction phase with details of the first round of recruitment to be announced soon. Around 300 high-quality green jobs will be directly created by Eden Project Morecambe, with more than 1,000 additional new jobs supported in the region. The £50m investment is half of the £100m needed to build the coastalthemed project. The funding allows the project to move into its next phase and begin the process of finalising the remaining £50m from private and philanthropic sources identified as part of the bidding process. Now that the Levelling Up Fund process has concluded, preparation for construction is due to start this year and the aim is for Eden Project Morecambe to be open to visitors by 2026. Eden Project Morecambe is being delivered by the team behind the first Eden Project in Cornwall, alongside local partners Lancaster University, Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership. It is one of the key initiatives in an expansion plan that will see Eden Projects built elsewhere in the UK and around the world.
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