find inspiration in previous years' winning projects!
This page shows you proposals for some of the winning projects of the Sustainable Projects Fund across the years. Projects differ in scope, scale and type of applicants. We hope this motivates you to apply regardless of your background.
Applications for this academic year will open in November, but feel free to familiarise yourself with the process on the applications page in the meantime.
The Sustainable Futures Society will help you throughout your application to ensure that your project has the best chances of being granted funds by the panel!
Applications for this academic year will open in November, but feel free to familiarise yourself with the process on the applications page in the meantime.
The Sustainable Futures Society will help you throughout your application to ensure that your project has the best chances of being granted funds by the panel!
GREEN IMPACT PROJECTS 2018-2019
Applicant: Katie Rees
Department: LSE Sustainability Team
Funds awarded: £3000
Project Description: The project aims to enable the creation of staff initiatives within LSE departments to improve the sustainability of their operations. The projects are to go through an evaluation process similar to the Sustainable Futures Fund - overseen by the qualified sustainability team - and be allocated the funds earmarked for such projects by the fund.
KEEP CUP, 2018-2019
Applicant: Karen Agathe-Hilton
Department: LSE Catering
Funds awarded: £5000
Project Description: Continuing the existing Keepcup initiative of the catering department that has already yielded important reductions in disposable cup usage. The funding would help sustain the scheme during the 2019-2020 academic year and likely enable the expansion of reusable cups at the LSE. The scheme would build on an existing initiative that has a proven track-record.
Applicant: Karen Agathe-Hilton
Department: LSE Catering
Funds awarded: £5000
Project Description: Continuing the existing Keepcup initiative of the catering department that has already yielded important reductions in disposable cup usage. The funding would help sustain the scheme during the 2019-2020 academic year and likely enable the expansion of reusable cups at the LSE. The scheme would build on an existing initiative that has a proven track-record.
LSE REUSE KITS, 2018-2019
Applicant: Alex Davis, Ahsan Syed
Department: MSc Environmental Policy and Regulation
Funds awarded: £500
Project Description: Including re-usable items in the introductory bags that incoming undergraduates receive. This project aims to expose students early to more sustainable behaviour, hoping that this will increase the likelihood of them sustaining such behaviour throughout their time at LSE.
Applicant: Alex Davis, Ahsan Syed
Department: MSc Environmental Policy and Regulation
Funds awarded: £500
Project Description: Including re-usable items in the introductory bags that incoming undergraduates receive. This project aims to expose students early to more sustainable behaviour, hoping that this will increase the likelihood of them sustaining such behaviour throughout their time at LSE.
BOG STANDARD, 2018-2019
Applicant: Harriet Freeman
Department: MSc International Political Economy
Funds awarded: £3000
Project Description: Organising a campaign at LSE and its Halls of Residence to raise awareness around the implications of having plastic debris in our oceans. The campaign would focus on consequences of 'toilet disposal of the Unflushables' and would give a concert advice to students on how to avoid this harmful behaviour. The campaign would consist of research, workshops and screenings.
Applicant: Harriet Freeman
Department: MSc International Political Economy
Funds awarded: £3000
Project Description: Organising a campaign at LSE and its Halls of Residence to raise awareness around the implications of having plastic debris in our oceans. The campaign would focus on consequences of 'toilet disposal of the Unflushables' and would give a concert advice to students on how to avoid this harmful behaviour. The campaign would consist of research, workshops and screenings.
SAILING EXPEDITION: SOCIAL SCIENCES MEETS SAILING - AN INVESTIGATION INTO PLASTIC POLLUTION, 2018-2019
Applicant: LSESU Marine Society
Department: LSESU Marine Society
Funds awarded: £1500
Project Description: Organising a zero carbon expedition format in collaboration with Sail Britain to conduct an investigation on Plastic Pollution along the British Coastlines. Aim is to provide students with a first-hand understanding of the impact of climate change and plastic pollution on the local environment.
Applicant: LSESU Marine Society
Department: LSESU Marine Society
Funds awarded: £1500
Project Description: Organising a zero carbon expedition format in collaboration with Sail Britain to conduct an investigation on Plastic Pollution along the British Coastlines. Aim is to provide students with a first-hand understanding of the impact of climate change and plastic pollution on the local environment.
LSEATS, 2014-2015
Applicants: James King, Suyin Chalmin-Pui and Regina Vetter
Department: MSc Environmental Policy and Regulation
Funds awarded: £700
Project Description: LSEats is a cook book and food recipe guide for LSE students by students. Chapters on food sustainability, locally sourced food, organic food, eating seasonally, merit of low-carbon diet and buying sustainable food. They propose 500 copies and imagine this publication being distributed free of charge at the LSE and at LSE Halls of Residence. The project is sustainable because the PDF should be freely accessible online. Cooking and eating sustainably is one of the most environmental actions we can take on as individuals as our diet ties us intimately to issues of social and environmental justice.
Applicants: James King, Suyin Chalmin-Pui and Regina Vetter
Department: MSc Environmental Policy and Regulation
Funds awarded: £700
Project Description: LSEats is a cook book and food recipe guide for LSE students by students. Chapters on food sustainability, locally sourced food, organic food, eating seasonally, merit of low-carbon diet and buying sustainable food. They propose 500 copies and imagine this publication being distributed free of charge at the LSE and at LSE Halls of Residence. The project is sustainable because the PDF should be freely accessible online. Cooking and eating sustainably is one of the most environmental actions we can take on as individuals as our diet ties us intimately to issues of social and environmental justice.
BIOCHAR, 2014-2015
Applicant: Chris Burt
Department: MSc Environment and Development
Funds awarded: £350
Project Description: Proposal to implement the use of Biochar on campus and advertise the use of Biochar on campus through banners (for awareness) that will have multiple uses on multiple events. Adding Biochar will be to increase the fertility of the soil in the planters, and improve the water usage efficiency of the soil. Biochar works as a soil amendment, and can be applied on top of existing soil. Locations: John Hopkins Plaza, outside the NAB, outside Saw See Hock, and outside Towers 1&2, as well as on the sixth floor roof terrace in Saw See Hock, the roof terrace on the NAB, and the fourth floor terrace in the Old Building. The biochar would be applied using volunteers gathered from the student body at LSE, with specific courses and societies targeted.
Applicant: Chris Burt
Department: MSc Environment and Development
Funds awarded: £350
Project Description: Proposal to implement the use of Biochar on campus and advertise the use of Biochar on campus through banners (for awareness) that will have multiple uses on multiple events. Adding Biochar will be to increase the fertility of the soil in the planters, and improve the water usage efficiency of the soil. Biochar works as a soil amendment, and can be applied on top of existing soil. Locations: John Hopkins Plaza, outside the NAB, outside Saw See Hock, and outside Towers 1&2, as well as on the sixth floor roof terrace in Saw See Hock, the roof terrace on the NAB, and the fourth floor terrace in the Old Building. The biochar would be applied using volunteers gathered from the student body at LSE, with specific courses and societies targeted.
SCULPTURAL DRINKING FOUNTAIN, 2013-2014
Applicant: LSE Catering Group
Funds awarded: £2000
Project Description: The LSE catering group proposed encouraging increased use of reusable water bottles on campus by offering an additional drinking fountain on campus. In addition to discouraging the use of bottled water, the fountain will also be an educational piece. Environmental and water use issues will be incorporated into the designs of the fountain. The fountain will be sculptural and will serve as a centerpiece for the new campus courtyard, outside of the soon-to-be-constructed LSE Global Centre for the Social Sciences.
Funds awarded from the SPF will go towards proper design and siting of the fountain. Designs should be in place by December 2014. Additional funding for final construction and delivery of the piece may come from Estates and the site development budget.
Applicant: LSE Catering Group
Funds awarded: £2000
Project Description: The LSE catering group proposed encouraging increased use of reusable water bottles on campus by offering an additional drinking fountain on campus. In addition to discouraging the use of bottled water, the fountain will also be an educational piece. Environmental and water use issues will be incorporated into the designs of the fountain. The fountain will be sculptural and will serve as a centerpiece for the new campus courtyard, outside of the soon-to-be-constructed LSE Global Centre for the Social Sciences.
Funds awarded from the SPF will go towards proper design and siting of the fountain. Designs should be in place by December 2014. Additional funding for final construction and delivery of the piece may come from Estates and the site development budget.
THE CYCLE RECYCLE INITIATIVE, 2013-2014
Applicants: Oliver Norman, Alex Readford, Indo Vickerson, Alex Fyfe, Hary Doe, Adriana Melchor, Jakub Pawlowski, Ranny Wei, and Alex Leung
Funds awarded: £2725
Project Description: The Cycle Recycle Initiative involves purchasing second-hand bikes to create a shared pool of bicycles that can be loaned to the students at Rosebury Hall. The initiative calls for the purchasing of 20 bikes, D-locks, coil locks, lights, and helmets as well as a communal toolkit and pump for repairing bicycles. Funding will also go towards proper bike proficiency and safety training.
This project will encourage more sustainable transport options for the residents of Rosebury Hall and will also discourage students from discarding unwanted bikes at the end of their studies. This project will be used as a pilot project and, if successful, may eventually be extended to all LSE halls.
Applicants: Oliver Norman, Alex Readford, Indo Vickerson, Alex Fyfe, Hary Doe, Adriana Melchor, Jakub Pawlowski, Ranny Wei, and Alex Leung
Funds awarded: £2725
Project Description: The Cycle Recycle Initiative involves purchasing second-hand bikes to create a shared pool of bicycles that can be loaned to the students at Rosebury Hall. The initiative calls for the purchasing of 20 bikes, D-locks, coil locks, lights, and helmets as well as a communal toolkit and pump for repairing bicycles. Funding will also go towards proper bike proficiency and safety training.
This project will encourage more sustainable transport options for the residents of Rosebury Hall and will also discourage students from discarding unwanted bikes at the end of their studies. This project will be used as a pilot project and, if successful, may eventually be extended to all LSE halls.
SUSTAINABLE MATH CURRICULUM, 2012-2013
Applicants: David Scott, Tugkan Batu, Jackie Everid, Rebecca Lumb, Mathieu Dubois, James Ward and James Abdey
Department: Staff of Mathematics and Statistics Department
Funds awarded: £3085
Project Description: The sustainable math curriculum introduces environmental sustainability into some of the largest Mathematics and Statistics course modules, to better ensure that students in these two departments, and across LSE, become more aware of, and knowledgeable about, the importance of sustainability.
On top of the engagement of lecturers and GTA’s to research, develop and teach a “greener” math curriculum, there will be a competition in each course where students themselves are asked to identify potential applications of the mathematics and statistics they’ve learnt to green or environmental situations.
The project aims to tackle education and awareness of sustainability, by improving engagement of the LSE community with sustainability issues. By gently and regularly reminding students about a variety of green issues and ideas, in a context where they might not expect to find these mentioned, and connecting these with some concrete scientific theory, the founders hope to educate students on the importance of these matters, and raise their awareness and understanding of them.
Applicants: David Scott, Tugkan Batu, Jackie Everid, Rebecca Lumb, Mathieu Dubois, James Ward and James Abdey
Department: Staff of Mathematics and Statistics Department
Funds awarded: £3085
Project Description: The sustainable math curriculum introduces environmental sustainability into some of the largest Mathematics and Statistics course modules, to better ensure that students in these two departments, and across LSE, become more aware of, and knowledgeable about, the importance of sustainability.
On top of the engagement of lecturers and GTA’s to research, develop and teach a “greener” math curriculum, there will be a competition in each course where students themselves are asked to identify potential applications of the mathematics and statistics they’ve learnt to green or environmental situations.
The project aims to tackle education and awareness of sustainability, by improving engagement of the LSE community with sustainability issues. By gently and regularly reminding students about a variety of green issues and ideas, in a context where they might not expect to find these mentioned, and connecting these with some concrete scientific theory, the founders hope to educate students on the importance of these matters, and raise their awareness and understanding of them.
PASSFIELD HALL GARDEN, 2012-2013
Applicants: Richard Perkins, Laura Ehrich, Margaux Wehr, Clementine Starling and Jodie Brown
Department: Passfield Hall (Staff and Students)
Funds awarded: £6316.80
Project Description: The Sustainability Team at Passfield Hall, consisting of the Warden and 4 students plan to enhance the existing garden at Passfield. The aim is to make the garden more bio-diverse and attractive for current and future residents.
The plan is to create a better environment for the existing bees and to attract additional wildlife such as birds and insects. The herb garden(s) and raised bed will be a shared resource for both staff and students alike, with an informal community garden club allowing for individuals to gain insights into gardening and enable them to contemplate and preserve wildlife collectively.
Passfield Hall is ideal for this type of project. As well as the existing population of bees, the configuration of Passfield (where a central courtyard garden is encased by the three main residential blocs) means that all residents will pass through the garden on a daily basis and enjoy its smells, colours and (where bees and birds are involved) their sounds.
Beyond the environmental benefits of improving the garden, the project will also help to create a strong sense of community within the residence. It provides an example of an environmental “win-win” project. As well as the environmental benefits, it would be popular with holiday guests at Passfield and should help to attract yet more booking for the Hall, helping to subsidize students’ rents.
Applicants: Richard Perkins, Laura Ehrich, Margaux Wehr, Clementine Starling and Jodie Brown
Department: Passfield Hall (Staff and Students)
Funds awarded: £6316.80
Project Description: The Sustainability Team at Passfield Hall, consisting of the Warden and 4 students plan to enhance the existing garden at Passfield. The aim is to make the garden more bio-diverse and attractive for current and future residents.
The plan is to create a better environment for the existing bees and to attract additional wildlife such as birds and insects. The herb garden(s) and raised bed will be a shared resource for both staff and students alike, with an informal community garden club allowing for individuals to gain insights into gardening and enable them to contemplate and preserve wildlife collectively.
Passfield Hall is ideal for this type of project. As well as the existing population of bees, the configuration of Passfield (where a central courtyard garden is encased by the three main residential blocs) means that all residents will pass through the garden on a daily basis and enjoy its smells, colours and (where bees and birds are involved) their sounds.
Beyond the environmental benefits of improving the garden, the project will also help to create a strong sense of community within the residence. It provides an example of an environmental “win-win” project. As well as the environmental benefits, it would be popular with holiday guests at Passfield and should help to attract yet more booking for the Hall, helping to subsidize students’ rents.
BIN THERE DONE THAT, 2012-2013
Applicant: Ed Stevens
Department: MSc Development Management
Funds awarded: £390
Project Description: How can we improve day-to-day recycling behaviour on campus ? This project will thoroughly research campus users’ use of Communal Recycling Points over a designated time period, and make straightforward recommendations’ for improving campus users’ bin use, with the aim of reducing the amount of recyclable waste found in ‘general waste’ bins to no more than 5%.
The founders of the project will carry out a carefully planned collaborative study into why some campus users sometimes do not use the right bins. The study will observe and investigate (with them) how to best change this behaviour. Based on the evidence, different interventions will be tested, and recommendations for practical measures will be put forward.
Applicant: Ed Stevens
Department: MSc Development Management
Funds awarded: £390
Project Description: How can we improve day-to-day recycling behaviour on campus ? This project will thoroughly research campus users’ use of Communal Recycling Points over a designated time period, and make straightforward recommendations’ for improving campus users’ bin use, with the aim of reducing the amount of recyclable waste found in ‘general waste’ bins to no more than 5%.
The founders of the project will carry out a carefully planned collaborative study into why some campus users sometimes do not use the right bins. The study will observe and investigate (with them) how to best change this behaviour. Based on the evidence, different interventions will be tested, and recommendations for practical measures will be put forward.
