Local Places for Nature Funding Window opens
Ceredigion Nature Partnership have launched their Local Places for Nature grants scheme for 2024. At their quarterly meeting on Friday 29 July at the National Trust property Llanerchaeron, the Local Nature Partnership announced that they have £350,000 to distribute. The scheme is now inviting applications for projects worth up to £50,000 to apply for the Capital funding.
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 £50,000 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:
• 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;
• purchasing litter picking kits or wildlife survey equipment.
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.
Councillor Keith Henson, Biodiversity Champion and Ceredigion Cabinet member responsible for Highways, Environmental Services and Carbon Management said: “It’s great to see that funding of this nature is available to make sure that we can see those little seedlings of an idea can grow into something big. This type of funding can help local places become the centre of activity for nature and enhance the biodiversity of an area along with increase mental health and well-being of those residents who live and visit there. Ideal source of funding for local groups to start those ideas off.”
The closing date for applications is Monday 02 September. The scheme is funded by the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature fund.
For an application form or more details, email your project outline or any queries to biodiversity@ceredigion.gov.uk