Groundwork is helping to deliver a new £1million Community Fund to help groups across the UK protect and restore nature in their local area.
The Save our Wild Isles Community Fund is a unique partnership with WWF, RSPB, and Aviva created to make it easier for communities to take action for nature. Whether that’s creating community gardens and replanting wildflower meadows, or protecting local wildlife and promoting community connection to nature, it all helps bring nature back to life and make our isles wilder.
What is the funding for?
To apply for the Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund, your project needs to be focused on taking action for nature in one of the following three ways:
- Nature restoration – activity that boosts local biodiversity, by protecting or restoring habitats, creating space for nature, connecting green spaces and/or addressing activities that directly impact biodiversity.
- Nature connectedness and pro-environmental behaviours – action that supports greater connection to nature and promotes pro-environmental behaviours at the community level that will benefit nature.
- Community cohesion and connection – nature positive activity that encourages collaboration in the local community, by connecting people of diverse backgrounds, generations, and abilities to nature and one another.
Who can apply?
- Constituted community groups, including faith groups
- Organisations registered with HMRC, Companies House, or Charity Commission
- Community Interest Companies
- Schools, PTAs, school clubs, youth groups
- Registered charities and social enterprises
- Groups must either be based in or work within areas that have an IMD rating of 1-5. This is to ensure that the funding benefits those that need it the most!*
*Projects that do not meet this criterion can still apply to the general Aviva Community Fund but will only receive the 1:1 match funding.
How does it work?
This is match-funding so successful applicants to the fund can receive £2 for every £1 they raise themselves, up to £250. This means if someone gives £10, you’ll get £20. Or if they give £250, you’ll get £500. Match funding applies to each unique donation up to £250 and with a total match available of £5,000 per project.
Need Support?
The Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund has teamed up with Groundwork to help applicants throughout the lifetime of their project. Whether that’s help generating ideas, practical support with your application, finding contacts and joining new networks, taking part in learning and training opportunities, or getting help with fundraising activities, Groundwork can assist you.
