GRANTS are being offered to community groups and regional organisations to help them connect people to nature, thanks to new funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The Community Green Grants will fund projects that increase people’s access to nature, especially in deprived communities, by improving green spaces or enhancing the local environment in other ways, such as planting trees.
Councillor Ian Courts, WMCA portfolio holder for environment and energy, said: “The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has shown people just how important it is that we have the opportunity to spend time in green spaces near our homes.
“It’s great news that the WMCA is making funding available to enable our communities to create projects that will help tackle green deprivation. These projects will allow people and our wildlife to enjoy our local areas even more, improving our environment and increasing the biodiversity of our region.”
The WMCA has set aside £725,000 for community groups, charities, community interest companies and environmental organisations that can show how their planned activities will have a positive impact on the environment.
There will be two levels of funding: small grants of £3,000-£25,000 and large grants of £25,000-£100,000. Priority will be given to projects in communities where there is green deprivation.
Small projects could include:
Activities run at community gardens, allotments or parks, such as tree planting, gardening, growing fruit and vegetables
Turning unused viable land into pocket parks
Setting up nature playgroups for children and families with no regular access to green space.
Larger scale projects could include:
Developing green corridors linking parks, community gardens and/or other green spaces
Developing new community green spaces that increase local access
For further information on WMCA Community Green Grants and to apply, visit www.wmca.org.uk/communitygreengrants
