Grants of up to £5,000 for community organisations to improve nature where they live. Please apply for capital costs only when they directly increase nature in local green spaces.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fund for Nature has been established by a generous grant from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and is being managed by Natural Cambridgeshire, the Local Nature Partnership for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough working in partnership with the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.
Key Aims of the Fund
The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Fund for Nature seeks to fund projects that support community-led nature recovery in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough that will do one or more of the following:
- Increase biodiversity and key wildlife habitats.
- Increase community cohesion by helping local people to understand, appreciate and enjoy their natural spaces more.
- Promote public health and wellbeing.
- Create resilient countryside and communities, where nature is at the heart of the approach to addressing climate change.
- Champion examples of best practice for sustainable development and management of green open space.
Local Nature Recovery Plan
To be considered for support your project must show how it will support nature recovery in your community, including how it will help towards the development of a Local Nature Recovery Plan for your village, town or ward. To guide your answer, please refer to the principles outlined in Natural Cambridgeshire’s Local Nature Recovery Toolkit (page 2), which can be found here. Or you may wish to refer to the one-page summary document which can be found here. Or email info@cambscf.org.uk for further guidance.
Who can apply?
- Registered, exempt, and excepted charities (click for definitions) **including religious organisations if their project benefits the wider community and doesn’t include religious content.
- Parish and Town Councils, Village Halls, and Parochial Church Councils
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) and Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Social Enterprises which have the Social Enterprise Mark
- Co-Operatives and Community Benefit Societies (formerly Industrial and Provident Societies)
- Schools
- Sports clubs that are either Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs), affiliated with a National Governing Body such as Badminton England, or have an income under £5,000
- Community-focused not-for-profit organisations such as Friends of, Street Pride or Community Orchards as long as their annual income is not more than £5,000.
Project Eligibility Criteria and Eligible Costs
1. This fund is for capital expenditure only. You can apply for:
- tools & materials to create and maintain habitats
- seeds, plants, bulbs, shrubs, trees
- bird and butterfly houses, bug hotels
2. It will not cover any other project related costs such as:
– staff costs, operational or overhead costs, IT costs, publicity & marketing costs, events and catering costs, surveys
3. If your project involves buildings, land or objects you will be asked to confirm ownership. If you are not the owner, please tell us what agreement you have with the owners to undertake the works.
Required Supporting Documentation
As well as the standard documentation asked for on the application form, this fund also requires you to submit the following as email attachments:
1. Copies of deeds, leases, mortgages or other proof of ownership if your project involves work on land. Or confirmation of permission from the land owner to carry out the proposed activities if you do not own the land.
2. A small selection of photos, maps or drawings that will help illustrate your project, or other relevant information such as an outline plan, or supporting documentation.
3. A letter(s) of support (no more than 4) from other organisations or individuals. They should be specific to the project rather than general letters of support for your activities.
Please email these to info@cambscf.org.uk
Please complete our short questionnaire
We want to understand what it is that will encourage more communities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to get involved in looking after the green spaces where they live. In relation to your project we would be grateful if you could please complete and return this questionnaire to info@cambscf.org.uk.
Application questions in word for practising
While applications can only be submitted online, if you wish to prepare your application before entering it online, please use this template. Please note that we do not accept hard copy applications.
Donate
If you would like to make a donation to augment the funds available to support community-led local nature recovery projects in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, including for a specific geographical area or for a particular habitat type or species, please email fund@naturalcambridgeshire.org.uk and we would be happy to discuss this further with you.
Who can apply?
Not-for-profit organisations either for themselves or on behalf of a smaller organisation.
Open for application
Yes
Maximum grant
£5,000
Eligible area
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
Deadline
1st November, 1st May
Apply for a Grant