The West Midlands Combined Authority Environment Fund has been set up with £1m of grant funding from the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund to help communities to deliver initiatives that improve the environment and people’s lives in the West Midlands. The fund is managed by Heart of England Community Foundation.
What grants are for
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
- 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.
CQ members may be in a good position in particular to focus on projects that fit with the access theme.
Eligibility
The fund is for community and voluntary groups, charities and not for profit organisations or a combination of these working in partnership. Groups that can apply are:
- Registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations
- Constituted Community groups
- Companies Limited by Guarantee with charitable aims
- Community Interest Companies
- Co-operatives – registered Community Benefit Societies and registered Industrial and
- Provident Societies
- Social Enterprises.
Projects must be delivered in the old West Midlands county area which includes Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell.
Making an application
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.
After reading the guidance available from Heart of England Community Foundation (link above), the first stage in making an application is to complete an online expression of interest form at: https://www.tfaforms.com/5091807