Ein Cartref, Ein Cynefin Local Places for Nature Small Grants Scheme 25/26
Ceredigion Nature Partnership has £100,000 funding for projects to create, restore or enhance natural assets and to deliver nature on your doorstep where people live, work and access public services. The scheme is funded by the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature fund.
Applications are invited from Constituted Groups, Registered Charities, Companies, Private Business and Public Sector organisations providing services to benefit nature and communities in Ceredigion.
Rachel Auckland, Local Nature Partnership Coordinator, said: “The Local Places for Nature scheme welcomes applications for projects to create, restore or enhance nature, for the benefit of wildlife and deprived communities. We want to support projects which will bring nature back on people’s doorsteps, where they live, work and access public services. The focus is on underrepresented groups and disadvantaged communities, especially in areas with little access to nature.
The maximum grant available is £25,000 but there is no lower limit and smaller groups and projects are encouraged to apply. This funding will enable wildlife organisations and community groups to improve places for nature and people. We hope it will encourage people to participate, to experience and value nature without doing any harm to the wildlife that’s already there.”
Some ideas for potential projects include:
- wildlife ponds
- creating green space on artificial structures and surfaces in urban areas.
- planting street trees, orchards, woodlands, or hedgerows.
- changing mowing to benefit biodiversity or creating wildflower meadows.
- creating wildlife-friendly food growing spaces and /or allotments.
Applicants must show how they will maintain the project for at least 5 years after the end of this funding. Projects may include improving access to existing or new sites so that everyone can enjoy them, but they must also include biodiversity enhancements, such as putting up nest boxes for birds or bats.
Projects are awarded points by a grant panel. Projects with a greater benefit to biodiversity will be awarded more points.
Councillor Eryl Evans, Biodiversity Champion said: "Having experienced the impact of this kind of funding firsthand, I know just how powerful it can be. It gives those small seedlings of an idea the chance to grow into something truly meaningful. With the right support, local spaces can become thriving centres for nature, supporting biodiversity and offering real benefits to the mental health and well-being of everyone who lives in or visits the area. It’s exactly the kind of funding that can help local groups take that important first step — and I’ve seen how transformative that can be."
The scheme is funded by the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature fund.
Request an application pack at biodiversity@ceredigion.gov.uk
Closing date for applications: Friday 19th Sept 12noon.