Apply Now: Our Local Nature Grant Scheme in United Kingdom

Deadline: 25-Oct-2026

The Our Local Nature Grant Scheme provides funding for youth-led projects across the United Kingdom that empower young people to engage with, understand, and improve their local natural spaces. The scheme supports innovative projects developed and led by young people, with a focus on increasing access to nature, improving understanding of local biodiversity, and encouraging youth to create positive environmental change in their communities.

About the Our Local Nature Grant Scheme

The Our Local Nature Grant Scheme has supported 49 projects across the United Kingdom since its inception.

Through these projects, the scheme has:

- Directly empowered more than 1,000 young people. - Benefited thousands more through community engagement. - Supported environmental improvement initiatives. - Encouraged young people to take an active role in local nature projects. The scheme aims to give young people the opportunity to develop practical ideas and take action to improve the natural spaces around them. Purpose of the Grant Scheme The grant scheme is designed to support projects that increase young people’s engagement with their local environment.

Projects should aim to:

- Increase access to natural spaces. - Improve understanding of local biodiversity. - Encourage young people to lead environmental activities. - Support community engagement. - Improve local natural spaces. - Give young people opportunities to create positive change. - Encourage innovative approaches to nature and environmental education. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants must be based in the United Kingdom.

Projects should be:

- Developed by young people. - Led by young people. - Focused on local natural spaces or biodiversity. - Supported by adults where necessary. Adults can provide guidance and practical support, but young people should have a central role in developing and leading the project. What Types of Projects Can Be Funded? The scheme has a broad scope and welcomes innovative ideas that help young people connect with local nature.

Examples of activities may include:

- School nature festivals. - Community biodiversity murals. - Building gardens. - Creating nature walks. - Educational talks. - Activities that improve local natural spaces. - Community projects that increase awareness of local biodiversity. These examples are illustrative, and the scheme remains open to other novel ideas that fit its overall objectives. Youth Leadership and Participation A key feature of the scheme is that projects should be designed and led by young people. The program aims to move beyond simply involving young people as participants by giving them an active role in developing ideas, making decisions, and carrying out environmental activities. Adults can support young people throughout the process where appropriate, helping projects progress while maintaining youth leadership. London Wave Additional support from the Mayor of London through the Green Roots Fund allows London-based applicants to participate in a dedicated London Wave. The London Wave follows the same general guidelines as the national Our Local Nature Grant Scheme but encourages projects to focus on nature and blue infrastructure. Focus on Blue Infrastructure in London London-based projects should connect their activities to blue infrastructure.

This may include topics such as:

- Water management. - Local water environments. - The relationship between water and local ecosystems. - Nature-based approaches involving water. - Local biodiversity connected to blue infrastructure. Although blue infrastructure is encouraged for London projects, the overall scope remains broad and applicants can propose novel approaches that fit the objectives of the scheme. Funding Information The maximum grant available is £1,000 per proposal. Previous awards have ranged from £150 to £1,000, demonstrating that projects can request different levels of funding depending on their needs.

Key funding details include:

- Maximum grant: £1,000 per proposal.

- Previous awards: £150–£1,000.

- Co-funding: Contributions from other organizations are welcomed.

Applicants can therefore combine the grant with support from other organizations where appropriate. Co-Funding The scheme welcomes co-funding from other organizations. Additional financial support can help applicants increase the scale or reach of their projects while using the Our Local Nature Grant to support eligible activities. Focus on Local Natural Spaces The grant scheme emphasizes projects that help young people connect with nature in their own communities. Activities can help participants explore local biodiversity, improve natural spaces, create community awareness, and develop a stronger understanding of their surrounding environment. This local focus also allows projects to respond to environmental opportunities and challenges specific to individual communities. Why the Grant Scheme Matters Young people can play an important role in improving local environments and encouraging wider community participation in nature conservation. By giving young people opportunities to design and lead projects, the Our Local Nature Grant Scheme supports both environmental improvement and youth empowerment. The scheme’s previous projects demonstrate its focus on creating opportunities for young people while generating wider community and environmental benefits. Key Facts About the Our Local Nature Grant Scheme

- Scheme: Our Local Nature Grant Scheme

- Country: United Kingdom

- Target group: Young people

- Focus: Local nature, biodiversity, natural spaces, and environmental improvement

- Projects supported: Youth-led initiatives

- Maximum grant: £1,000 per proposal

- Previous awards: £150–£1,000

- Projects supported to date: 49

- Young people directly empowered: More than 1,000

- Co-funding: Welcomed

- Adult involvement: Adults can provide support where needed

- London opportunity: London Wave

- London support: Mayor of London through the Gre