Just shy of £40 million was awarded to 68 projects in November’s first round, and applications are now open for grants between £50,000 and £2 million. Successful projects will make the case that they can help support a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Fund, which is bankrolled by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will be delivered by National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency.
Am I eligible?
Projects will need to contribute to at least one of the following themes in order to be considered for Green Recovery Challenge Fund support:
- nature conservation and restoration
- nature-based solutions, particularly focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation
- connecting people with nature
- increasing biodiversity
How to apply
Organisations can apply for this funding via an online portal which went live today.
The deadline for grant applications worth between £50,000 to £250,000 is 12 noon on 14th April 2021.
Organisations seeking support ranging from £250,000 to £2 million need to submit an Expression of Interest by 12 noon on 22nd March 2021. Proposals that best meet the criteria will then be invited to make a full application.
Full application guidance is available here.
The goals of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund are “more important than ever as we build back greener from the coronavirus pandemic”, according to environment minister Rebecca Pow.
“In the first round, we awarded grants across a broad variety of environmental projects, ranging from planting trees, and restoring peatlands to connecting people with green spaces, forests and protected landscapes. I encourage more organisations to apply so we can continue to make a real difference,” she adds.
Already made a green change?
If you’ve already prioritised sustainability within your museum, gallery or heritage organisation, get the recognition you deserve!
For the second year running the National Lottery Heritage Fund is sponsoring the Sustainable project of the Year category at the Museums + Heritage Awards.
No matter how minimal a change may seem, your project may be exactly what the judges are looking for.
Entry is free but applications close on 31st March. Don’t miss out! Submit an application here.
The first round of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund saw projects across England receive varying levels of funding for a wide array of projects. The North York Moors National Park Trust, in partnership with North York Moors National Park Authority, was awarded a grant of over £160,000 to establish a North York Moors Woodland Restoration Team.
This project not only focused on restoring and conserving large areas of woodland but also created the opportunity for four young people to gain skills and experience in forestry and land management.
Other recipients included Cumbria Wildlife Trust, which was given £249,500 to restore 300 hectares of peatlands at three sites within the Lake District National Park, and Buglife, which scooped £184,000 for its B-Lines projecting endangered bumblebee populations.
