Green Recovery Challenge Fund

7th August 2020

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund
On 30 June government announced that it would bring forward £40million of funding to establish the Green Recovery Challenge Fund in England. The fund will help charities and environmental organisations to deliver “shovel-ready” projects across England to restore nature and tackle climate change.

 

We are pleased to let you know that this new fund will be open for applications in September and the funding will be distributed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of DEFRA.

 

The fund has been developed by DEFRA and its Arms Length Bodies, including Natural England, Forestry Commission, the Environment Agency and others. Natural England and the Environment Agency will work with The National Lottery Heritage Fund in delivering the fund.

 

The aim of the fund is to support projects that are ready to deliver and focus on nature restoration, nature-based solutions and engagement with nature. In addition, projects will be expected to support and create a range of jobs in the sector to help sustain and build capacity whilst delivering against the goals of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

 

The fund will be open to applications from:

  • environmental charities
  • partnerships involving at least one environmental charity

 

Grants will be available from £50,000 up to £5m and will cover capital and revenue costs. Value for money will be an important assessment criterion. Co-funding will be a consideration during assessment, but up to 100% funding will be available.

 

In order to secure funding, priority will be given to projects that are already fully planned and ready to start delivery this financial year. Projects will need to complete by March 2022.

 

Details of the application process, guidance and application forms will be released by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in September.

 

Neither DEFRA nor The National Lottery Heritage Fund are able to answer any questions relating to this fund before the release of the fund guidance.

 

We will be open for applications for a limited three week period, with decisions to be made quickly thereafter. We want to ensure grants are made available as quickly as possible in response to the needs identified by environmental charities as a result of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

 

Keep an eye on our website and social media channels and subscribe to our newsletter for more details as they are available.

 

Banner image: Copyright Natural England/Chris Gomersall