Written by Coed Lleol Valleys Regional Park - Small Scale Project Support

The Valleys Heart and Soul Small Scale Project Support is part-funded by the EU’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government and is administered by Capital Region Tourism on behalf of the Valleys Partnership. The available funding is accessible to projects that are based in and benefit areas within the Valleys Regional Park boundary. This includes the local authority areas of Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend (north of the M4), Neath Port Talbot (north of the M4), Swansea (north of the M4) and the Gwendraeth and Aman valleys in Carmarthenshire. A map and a list of postcodes are available on www.thevalleys.org.uk.


Biffa Flagship Scheme

Biffa Waste Services is seeking applications to its 2010 Biffaward Flagship Scheme. Grants are made from income received from the Landfill Communities Fund, and the scheme is managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. Flagship projects are defined as community-led cultural or biodiversity schemes that have something unique and exciting that no other project in the region or country has. Grants range from £150,000 to £500,000. Projects must be site based and be within 25 miles of a Biffa operation and 10 miles of any active landfill site. Expressions of interest are required by 1 July 2010. Further details are available from www.biffaward.org/about/overview.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 11 May 10)

Sustainable Development Fund

The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) aims to develop new ways of achieving a more sustainable way of living in the countryside, so natural beauty and diversity, wildlife, landscape, land use and community are conserved.
The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) are providing funding of £216,666 per Park Authority and £70,000 per Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 2010-2011. For more info visit this page.

Country Land and Business Association (CLA)

The CLA charitable trust awards grant funding in support of disabled people in England and Wales. The Trust's aims are to: encourage education about the countryside for those who are disabled or disadvantaged, particularly youngsters from urban areas; provide facilities for those with disabilities to have access to recreation in the countryside; and promote education in agriculture, horticulture and conservation for those who are disabled or disadvantaged. More info here for applicants.

MV (Millennium Volunteers) grant round

MV is a programme that seeks to recognise the sustained commitment of young volunteers to projects and their community. Projects can apply for a grant of £50 to £8,000 towards the costs of supporting young volunteers through expenses such as travel, training and expense costs. Deadline: 2 pm Wednesday 2 June 2010. More info here.

Big Challenge

The theme of Big Challenge 2010 is 'Imagine, Involve, Inspire'. Applications are accepted from individuals or informal groups of young people aged 16 to 25 in the UK with an original project or campaign ideas that will have a big impact and inspire other young people. The Challenge fund could cover costs such as: marketing activities; travel expenses; training events; volunteer expenses; venue hire; or equipment costs. Applications will be shortlisted by Big Challenge's Youth Leadership Team before going on to a final online public vote. The deadline for applications is 6 July 2010 (3 pm). Info for applicants: here.

The Jephcott Charitable Trust

One of the Jephcott Trust’s funding priorities is ‘the natural environment’.  The Trust gives priority to one-off payments to projects that are experiencing difficulty in getting started or obtaining funding elsewhere. Grants are typically between £2,000 and £10,000. See this page for further details.

Trusthouse Charitable Trust

The Trusthouse Charitable Trust has changed its priorities towards projects which address rural issues. In this context, ‘rural’ means cities, towns or villages with 10,000 or fewer inhabitants. They will continue to consider applications working in areas of extreme urban deprivation. They will consider applications under the headings of community support, arts & education, disability & healthcare. Small grants: up to £10,000 (capital and revenue), £10,000 to £30,000 (capital only).  More info....

Waterloo Foundation

An independent grant-maker, giving grants to local groups that are small in size and detailed in focus. Their “main drive is to support the community in which we work and live”, within themes of environment, (particularly in view of the heavy exploitation of the Welsh landscape), relief of poverty, child development. Find out how to apply here.

The Woodland Trust are still keen for applications for their £100 tree planting grant for small tree planting schemes this autumn

Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Applications for a Fellowship will close on the 6th October 2009. Fellowes receive a grant to support overseas travel, living expenses and insurance whilst undertaking a research project. There are 10 categories this year, several of which may be of interest to you. If you are interested in learning more about  the Trust and its Fellowship then please log on to  www.wcmt.org.uk

 

Arson small grants programme: The programme is aimed at small local projects that will lead to a reduction in arson and grants can be for up to £10,000. Further details are available from Lisa Rees, Fire and Rescue Services, on 01685 729227 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Wild and Green: aims to promote economic, sustainable growth in Powys by developing a range of ecological goods and services. More specifically, the project will offer support for research and development of innovative, added-value products. For more information contact Laura Shewring on 01982 552224, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to www.glasu.org.uk

 

TalkTalk - Support is available for technology-related projects or for technology equipment to enable organisations and groups to make the most of the Internet. Award of £2,000. The 2009 Awards will open to applications on 1 July 2009

 

GrantScape (CWM Community & Environmental Fund)- invites applications located within Carmarthenshire for Community and environmental projects. All grants will be between £5,000 and £50,000.

 

The Oakdale Trust gives funding preference to Welsh charities involved in social, medical and conservation projects. No web site, so phone them 01832 226386 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

The Naturesave Trust: financial assistance for projects that deal with the root of a specific environmental and/or conservationist problem and those that encourage the greater commercial adoption of sustainable development. There are no deadlines for applications, which are dealt with on a 'rolling' basis, and the funding available for projects ranges from £100 to £10,000, with the average grant being around £2,000. The trust has now decided to focus on renewable energy projects.

BT Community Connections is an award scheme which enables community and charitable organisations to get online and make use of information and communications technology (ICT). The next round of applications is in September 2009.
Organisations, working in any field of community benefit, located throughout the UK or ROI can apply for a laptop and a year's free broadband connection.   There are more than 1,000 award packages available to groups who can demonstrate how an award will benefit their work and the local community. See http://www.btcommunityconnections.com , ring 0845 257 6792 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Tesco charity trust community awards provides one-off donations of between £1,000 and £4,000 which goes towards providing practical equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children, the elderly and adults and children with disabilities. Call 0845 612 3575  for more details.

 

The Communities First Trust Fund (CFTF) aims to support any type of activity that involves local people, through small community organisations, that benefits their community. There is no minimum amount but £5,000 is the maximum you can apply for. For further information contact Community First Helpline on 0800 587 8898 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Not strictly a grant but The Solicitors Pro Bono Group (SPBG) is an independent charity which aims to increase the delivery of free legal advice to individuals and communities in need. They have supported a woodland education centre and may be able to help with issues such as leasing.

 

Awards for All Wales is a small grants scheme (part of the Big Lottery Fund) making awards of between £500 and £5,000. They must fall under one of the categories of supporting community activity, extending access and participation, increasing skill and creativity or improving quality of life. For more info contact 0845 4 10 20 30 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Biffaward fund biodiversity projects if the project's site is within 25 miles of a Biffa operation the project's site is also within 10 miles of a landfill site (owned by any company). You can apply for up to £50,000, you will need to find a third party contributor(s) to provide 10% of the grant you are applying for and there are no deadlines.

Esmee Fairburn fund biodiversity projects on species that are uncharismatic or hard to fund- if you have one of these in your woodland it might be worth looking into. Call 0207 812 3700 or see the website for more details of what can be included.

 

Bridging the Gap Fund expenses such as salaries and training for voluntary and community projects in coalfield areas (many South and East Wales areas are eligible) but the project must be completed within 12 months. Phone 01443 404 455 to speak to the Welsh division.

 

The Co-operative Community Fund grants, between £100 and £2,000 are awarded to community, voluntary, or self-help groups to run projects that meet the following criteria. To be successful a group must, amongst other things, carry out positive work in the community.
Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fiskars Orange Thumb helps communities  rejuvenate a lost or forgotten green space in celebration of the campaign. They support rejuvenating disused or neglected pieces of land that would make a perfect space for your community to enjoy. Fiskars' panel of gardening experts will select a project from the nominations and send a team of Orange Thumb volunteers and loads of great Fiskars garden tools to help you and your community to prune back, de-weed and dig over your green space so that it can be used and enjoyed by the whole community. Register your project at http://www.orangethumb.co.uk/

Conservation Foundation and O2
Awards up to the value of £1,000 are available for environmental community projects; such as transformation of derelict land into a wildlife area/tree planting/creating a wildlife pond/renovating neglected river and canal footpaths. Individuals/community groups/local clubs or schools are eligible to apply. Successful applicants are also invited to supply before/after shots to qualify for a ‘well done award’.