This is the £1m Commonwealth Fund for the Environment (as opposed to the £9m inclusive communities covered separately. It is, like the Inclusive Communities Fund managed by Heart of England Community Foundation. It offers non-profit organisations in the West Midlands two levels of grant: up to £25k; and up to £100k.
Approximately 30 small grants of up to £25,000 and 5 large grants of up to £100,000 will be awarded for projects under the following project themes:
- Natural environment – to protect, restore and enhance nature and wildlife.
- Access to green and blue space – to provide better access to and community use of green and blue space for health and wellbeing – similar to the recent Community Green Grants programme.
- Climate adaptation – to make communities more resilient and prepared for the impacts of climate change
- Circular economy – to reduce waste and keep resources and materials in use for as long as possible.
- Environment awareness – to improve knowledge of environment issues and support behaviour change.
The funders want to see benefit to people who don’t access green space so easily. Which includes SEND children, young people and families.
Large projects up to £100,000 must be delivered by 31 December 2024. It is unlikely that applications for large projects will be accepted after June 2024 due to delivery timescales.
Small projects up to £25,000 must be delivered by February 2025. It is unlikely that applications for small projects will be accepted after October 2024.
More information at the Heart of England Community Foundation.