Nature Towns & Cities, a new initiative set up by The National Trust, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural England aims to help Councils and communities improve access to green space within our urban neighbourhoods. The partners are also working closely with Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Nature Towns & Cities builds on the Future of Urban Greenspaces vision and route map which many of you will have contributed to.
Local authorities and their partners, including community and other civic organisations, are invited to apply for capacity-building grants as part of this initiative. From early next year there will also be the opportunity to join a peer network to share learning and practical solutions and take advantage of schemes to attract new investment. Local council CEOs received a letter about Nature Towns and Cities on 1 October.
What do I need to know:
More information can be found on The National Lottery Heritage Fund website including details of how to apply.
Expressions of interest in this new grant programme are open now and will close at noon on 12 November 2024.
Grants of between £250k to £1million are available from The National Lottery Heritage Fund which is making £15m in funding available UK-wide.
A webinar, introducing the programme and how councils and partners can get involved, will be held on Tuesday 8 October (11am – 12.30pm) with sign-up details available here.
To get data that will help inform your EOI please use the GreenspaceNI map.
The Nature Towns & Cities website gives more information on the ambitions of this partnership.
For further enquiries contact:
Margaret Henry
Head of Engagement
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Phone: +44 28 9592 1713
Email: margaret.henry@heritagefund.org.uk
