Green spaces fund open for bids
A new fund is open to bids from charities and voluntary groups. The Green Spaces initiative is run by the Community Matters Fund run by National Grid Electricity Distribution. As part of the initiative £500,000 has been set aside nationally and is now open for grant applications.
The purpose of the fund is to support the development of green spaces to bring communities together, encourage more wildlife and biodiversity, improve air quality and reduce noise. Going in hand in hand with delivering health benefits the creation of green spaces should help create employment and volunteering opportunities.
Applications are now open for communities across Somerset to enhance their local environment and encourage more people to make the most of their green spaces. Applications are welcome from community organisations of all kinds, particularly those supporting vulnerable groups to overcome barriers to accessing green spaces. Projects that create volunteering opportunities for members of the local community are also encouraged to apply.
While the fund is for the whole of the UK, there are no limits on how it should be distributed. So local organisations and volunteers with schemes are welcome to apply. The fund will award grants of up to £2,000 for unregistered organisations. A registered charity can receive up to £10,000 if successful.
Applications for the Green Spaces Community Fund could include the following:
- Planting spaces and new allotment creation in existing green spaces
- Bee banks, bird/bat boxes, wildflowers, ponds, trees, hedges, and other projects to improve biodiversity
- Development of unused land into green spaces
- Gardening workshops and allotment activities to bring vulnerable members of the community into green spaces, including sensory or mindfulness garden creation
- Access pathways, ramps and seating in in parkland or nature reserves
- Redevelopment of existing green spaces to encourage greater community use
- Forest school education sessions for young people or craft workshops in nature
- Innovative approaches to create or develop green spaces for public enjoyment
The closing date for applications is Friday 12 May.