THE NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND – AWARDS FOR ALL: ENVIRONMENT GRANTS PROGRAMME

Grants of between £300 and £20,000 over 2-years are available to a range of UK not-for-profit organisations for projects and activities that connect local people with nature and the environment.
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Application deadline: the programme will open to applications on Wednesday 25th June 2025. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis up to Wednesday 17th December 2025.
Funder: The National Lottery Community Fund (legally named the Big Lottery Fund, the National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF) is a non-departmental public body responsible for distributing funds raised by the National Lottery for “good causes”. Since 2004 it has awarded over £9 billion to more than 130,000 projects across the UK).
Who can apply: the following types of UK organisations may apply – registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), constituted voluntary groups, clubs or organisations, Community Interest Companies (CICs), statutory agencies, including Parish, Town and Community Councils), Schools (for projects that benefit the local community) Community benefit Societies and not-for-profit companies.
Key words: Connecting Communities with Nature and the Environment, United Kingdom.
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The National Lottery Community Fund’s small grants programme, Awards for All, opens its new Environmental Grants programme to applications on Wednesday 25th June 2025. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis until Wednesday 17th December 2025.

Grants are available for projects that meet one or both of the following aims:

1. Help people connect with and care for nature in their area, such as:

o Creating community gardens or shared spaces for growing food or plants.
o Rewilding or restoring neglected green areas.
o Running volunteer sessions to care for green spaces, and
o Improving parks or playgrounds to support nature and wildlife.

 and/or

2. Make a positive difference to the environment, such as:

o Running forest schools or outdoor learning activities to help people engage with nature and improve their wellbeing.
o Organising activities in nature for people who do not usually access green spaces.
o Creating or improving community allotment plots with wildlife-friendly features, and
o Offering volunteering in horticulture or community farming and providing outdoor therapy that supports both people and the environment.

Grants of between £300 and £20,000 for up to 2-years are available.

Grants can be used for such things as:

o Equipment.
o Help from a nature organisation.
o One-off events.
o Refurbishment projects.
o Running costs and utilities.
o Staffing costs and volunteer expenses.
o Training costs, 
and
o Transport and training. costs

Further information, guidance and an online application form is available on the National Lottery Community Fund website.

The fund opens to applications on Wednesday 25th June 2025 and will close on Wednesday 17th December 2025. Applications may be made at any time during this period and will be assessed on an ongoing basis, with applicants being notified of the outcome of their application usually within 4 months from the date of submission.