Introduction – overview of the funding

The climate and nature emergency affects us all, but local action can make a real difference. They fund community-led projects that improve the environment and help people connect with and enjoy nature where they live.

Who is eligible to apply?

You can apply if your organisation is a:

• constituted voluntary or community organisation
• constituted group or club
• registered charity
• charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
• not-for-profit company
• community interest company (CIC)
• school, if the project helps the local community, not just the school
• statutory body (including local authorities, town, parish, and community councils)
• community benefit society

You cannot apply if you already have an Awards for All grant.

What are the funder priorities?

Under this funding stream, they will fund projects that meet one of the following priorities:

• Help people connect to connect with and care for nature in their area. Under this aim they fund:
  • Make a positive difference to local green spaces. You could do this by:
    • creating community gardens or shared spaces for growing food or plants
    • rewilding or restoring neglected green areas
    • running volunteer sessions to care for green spaces
    • improving parks or playgrounds to support nature and wildlife
  • Help connect local people to nature. You could do this by:

• • • running forest schools or outdoor learning activities to help people engage with nature and improve their wellbeing
    • organising activities in nature for people who do not usually access green spaces
    • creating or improving community allotment plots with wildlife-friendly features
    • offering volunteering in horticulture or community farming and providing outdoor therapy that supports both people and the environment
• Make a positive difference to the environment. To help care for the environment and to and to respond to climate challenges. You could do this by:
  • Deliver sustainable activities. This includes:
    • running repair or reuse sessions – such as fixing bikes or furniture
    • setting up a food growing projects
    • redistributing food from supermarkets or shops that would otherwise go to waste
    • using nature-based solutions to local climate risks – like planting trees to reduce heat in urban areas or using plants to help prevent flooding
  • Help people reduce carbon or save energy. This includes:

• • • installing solar panels or other energy-saving features in well-used community buildings
    • offering advice sessions or interactive workshops to help people make small, positive changes
    • raising awareness about climate change, food choices, local growing, cooking or saving energy

How much can organisations apply for?

You can apply for a grant between £300 to £20,000.

What the funding can be used for

They fund a variety of costs, which include:

• running costs for your organisation
• help from a nature organisation
• equipment
• one-off events with a clear environmental impact
• staff and training costs
• transport and utilities
• volunteer expenses
• small land or refurbishment projects

They encourage you to think about any costs that help your organisation and community cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

Is there a deadline?

There is no longer a deadline. This is rolling funding.

Find out more/how to apply

• Online application form (you can save this and come back to it)
• Further information on their website here
• The funder will be delivering a session on 11 Nov, 2-3pm online to go over this Awards for All funding and the larger Reaching Communities funding for environmental projects. You can read their full mission and framework here. If you would like to attend this online event with the funder, please email advice@rva.org.uk before 6 November so we can add you to their invite list.

Further support

For further support from RVA with preparing your application or your policies and procedures required for this funding, contact Herjeet Vass at herjeet.vass@rva.org.uk.