Who can apply for a grant? Expand Applications can only be accepted from local authorities. We anticipate many Councils will be working with Friends and other community groups and third sector organisations, and we welcome applications led by Councils on behalf of wider partnerships.
What can we apply for? Expand You can apply for a revenue grant of up to £35k per Council to support the development of action plans for nature restoration in parks, plus up to £6k per Council to support quick-win actions. This can include approaches to naturalise horticultural, grassland and wetland management in parks. The revenue funding can be used flexibly and could, for example, cover expert input from ecologist and landscape professionals, for surveys and plans, as well as for community engagement. The grant cannot be used for staffing costs unless this is new and/or additional to existing resources and will be used specifically to develop and deliver the proposed project. The quick-win funding can also be deployed flexibly to support development and implementation of the action plan(s). This could include purchase and sowing/planting of wildflower seeds, plug plants and trees; equipment and machinery to support changing management practices (including shared equipment purchases between two or more Councils); signage, interpretation and other comms assets to support communication and engagement. The case study provided by Dundee City Council illustrates the type of strategic approach that could be supported by this funding. Activities supported by this grant could also inform future work by Councils on Nature Networks and projects that might be taken forward using Nature Restoration Funds, as well as supporting the outcomes of the recently published Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.
How many applications can a Council submit? Expand We will only accept one application from each Council for each grant programme and so we request that departments and colleagues discuss and agree the project(s) to be included in the application.
What is the timescale and process for applications? Expand Expressions of interest must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 30 January 2023. Shortlisted applications will be contacted by Thursday 2 February and asked to provide further details by Monday 13 February. Grant offers will be made by Monday 20 February 2023.
How do I submit an Expression of Interest? Expand Expressions of interest must be submitted via the web form. You can access a pdf of the questions included on the EoI Form here A word doc is also available here to assist you in drafting your application - you must then copy and paste your text into the web form.
What additional information will be required for a full application? Expand Only projects shortlisted from the Expression of Interest process will be invited to submit a full application. The questions included in the full application can be viewed here
Is match-funding required? Expand You do not need to have match funding to apply to this grant programme, although we encourage you to include it if it helps you achieve better value against the programmes outcomes.
When must the project complete? Expand The project must be complete (or substantially complete and all funds committed) by 31 July 2023.