Access to Nature
Access to Nature is a new £25 million grant scheme which aims to encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors, particularly those who face social exclusion or those that currently have little or no contact with the natural environment. It is now open to applications.
Funding will focus on three main themes:
- Community awareness and active participation.
- Education, learning and volunteering.
- Welcoming, well-managed and wildlife-rich places.
The scheme is open to a wide range of applicants, including community groups, charities and trusts, schools, colleges, local authorities, town and parish councils, health organisations, social enterprises, mutual societies and faith groups.
There are three levels of grant available, as follows:
1. Regional projects
Grants of between £50,000 and £500,000 for projects which aim to deliver benefits at a local, regional or multi-regional level. Projects may focus on a few local sites and communities within a region, or could involve an awareness-raising campaign covering a number of communities over many regions.
Applications can be made at any time from April 2008 to June 2010.
2. National projects
Grants of less than £500,000 for projects which aim to address national-scale issues. These projects must:
- cover the whole of England in a thematic sense ie propose solutions to national scale issues; and/or
- cover the whole of England geographically; and must
- demonstrate greater added value than a scaled-up regional or multi-regional project.
Applications can be made at any time from April 2008 to June 2010.
3. Flagship projects
Within Access to Nature there is potential for organisations to apply for grant awards of over £500,000. A maximum of five Flagship awards will be made. These projects must have a national impact and significance.
Flagship awards will support projects that have an England-wide focus and make a significant and lasting impact on community awareness and participation. These larger awards aim to enhance the capacity of the voluntary sector so that it is in a stronger position to meet the needs of communities and to encourage more active involvement in the natural environment.
For grant applications seeking a Flagship award, the project must fulfil the following criteria:
- cover the whole of England in a thematic sense ie provide solutions to national scale issues, and/or cover the whole of England geographically;
- be able to demonstrate greater added value than a regional or multi-regional project; and
- enhance the capacity of the voluntary sector.
The main decision-making meeting for Flagship projects will be the Independent Grants Panel meeting to be held on 25-26 February 2009; however, there is the opportunity for the 15-16 October 2008 meeting of the Independent Grants Panel to make awards.
The final deadlines for Flagship applications are as follows:
Stage 1 applications for the October 2008 Panel Meeting: 11 July 2008.
Stage 1 applications for the February 2009 Panel Meeting: 17 October 2008.
For more information, go to: www.naturalengland.org.uk
last updated on 13th May 2008