GROW WILD COMMUNITY GRANTS 2026
A limited number of grants of up to £2,000 and other resources are available to community organisations across the UK to transform an area in an urban community (defined as having 10,000 or more inhabitants) with UK native plants or fungi, encourage wildlife and involve the local community.
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o Application deadline: WEDNESDAY 4th FEBRUARY 2026 at 3pm. An Information Webinar has been scheduled for 12.30-1.15pm on Thursday 15th January 2026 for potential applicants. A link to registration is provided towards the end of the main text below.
o Funder: The Foundation and Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (founded 1990. Charity number 803428. Total charitable expenditure during the year ended 31 March 2025: £4,221,000 (2024:
o Who can apply: UK voluntary, youth and community groups, resident’s groups, community associations, and Health Authorities and Health Boards.
o Key words: Urban Areas, Transforming Urban Spaces to Benefit People and Wildlife, Planting, Disabled People, Disadvantage, Isolated Groups and Individuals, People who face Barriers to Connect with their local Community, Young People aged 12-25, United Kingdom.
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The Grow Wild Community Grants Programme supports groups and organisations to transform urban spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife by planting and championing UK native plants or fungi.
Grow Wild is currently seeking 23 community groups from across the UK to join its 2026 Community Programme.
The programme wants to recruit groups who are keen to join its online sessions and connect with other groups taking part. Groups of all experience levels are encouraged to apply, especially those who are getting into growing for the first time.
Please note that Grow Wild can only fund projects in urban locations. For the purposes of its Community Programme, an urban location is defined as a settlement with 10,000 or more inhabitants.
Projects will be required to show how they work with one or more of Grow Wild’s target audience:
o Disabled people.
o People experiencing some disadvantage or reduced access to services.
o People who are less engaged with others in their local community.
o People who face barriers to connecting with nature, and/or
o Young people aged 12-25.
Successful applicants will receive:
o A £2,000 grant to transform an urban space with UK native plants or fungi, encourage wildlife and involve your local community.
o Invitations to online knowledge sharing sessions and talks featuring special guests from Kew and beyond. These sessions are designed to support your project delivery and provide opportunities to connect with other groups taking part in the programme, and
o The opportunity to apply for a £500 follow-on grant for spring 2026, to help support your ongoing activities.
Funding is not available for:
o Schools (schools should look out for Grow Wild’s Youth Grant opportunity which is launching in early 2026).
o Local Authorities (including Parish Councils). However, the programme can fund projects led by independent groups on Local Authority land.
o Sole traders or individuals.
o Projects where Grow Wild funds could be used for commercial benefit.
o Organisations and projects outside of the UK.
o Projects delivered in rural, conservation or protected areas such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), or
o Projects requiring planning permission, due to the programme timelines.
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply is available on the Grow Wild website.
Grow Wild has scheduled an Information Webinar for 12:30-1:15pm on Thursday 15th January 2026 for potential applicants to learn more about the Community Programme and how to apply. To register to attend, please follow this LINK.
The deadline for applications to the Grow Wild Community Grants programme is 3pm on Thursday 4th February 2025.
Contact details for the programme are:
Grow Wild Community Programme 2026
Grow Wild
Tel: 020 8332 3842
Email: hello@growwilduk.com