Call for Applications: Habitat and Biodiversity Grant (UK)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Habitat and Biodiversity Grant supports charitable and not-for-profit organisations in England to protect biodiversity, enhance natural habitats, and create accessible community nature spaces. Grants of £10,000 to £75,000 are available for eligible projects that deliver measurable biodiversity improvements, strengthen community involvement, and contribute to carbon reduction. What Is the Habitat and Biodiversity Grant? The Habitat and Biodiversity Grant provides financial support for projects that protect and improve natural habitats in England. The programme is intended to help organisations create sustainable, resilient, and accessible environmental spaces while encouraging communities to participate in conservation activities. Supported projects should deliver tangible improvements to biodiversity at a specific site. They may involve habitat creation, woodland development, nature reserves, waterways, or land acquisition for conservation purposes. Carbon reduction and progress towards carbon neutrality Long-term environmental sustainability Why the Habitat and Biodiversity Grant Matters Biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and climate change are increasing pressure on natural environments. Local conservation projects can help restore ecosystems while providing communities with accessible green spaces. The grant supports projects that combine environmental conservation with community benefit. Successful initiatives are expected to create measurable improvements to biodiversity while providing opportunities for volunteering, education, recreation, and community engagement. Properly constituted community groups with suitable governance arrangements The applicant organisation must be the landowner of the project site. Projects must also satisfy the programme’s location and site requirements, including being located on a single site within 10 miles of an eligible landfill site in England. What Projects Can Be Funded? Projects should produce structural or physical improvements to a natural site and demonstrate a clear increase in biodiversity. Examples of potentially eligible project types include: Projects that create sustainable and carbon-neutral spaces The proposed activity should demonstrate how the site will become more valuable for biodiversity and how the project will protect or enhance natural habitats. Grant Amount Applicants can request funding between £10,000 and £75,000. Larger funding requests may be accepted from: Registered charities Environmental Bodies Local Authorities The amount awarded will depend on the eligibility of the project, its environmental impact, and the programme’s assessment requirements. Key Project Requirements Applicants should ensure that their proposals address the core requirements of the programme.

Projects must:

Take place on a single eligible site. Be located within 10 miles of an eligible landfill site in England. Be owned by the applicant organisation. Demonstrate a clear increase in biodiversity. Avoid damaging existing natural habitats. Contribute to reducing the site’s carbon footprint. Work towards carbon neutrality. Include community consultation. Provide opportunities for volunteers. Ensure the site is accessible to members of the public. Have all necessary permissions in place. Deliver structural or physical improvements to the site. How to Apply for the Habitat and Biodiversity Grant Applicants should develop their proposal around the environmental and community outcomes that the project will achieve.

Step 1: Confirm Applicant Eligibility

Check that your organisation falls within an eligible applicant category and that it owns the proposed project site.

Step 2: Check the Project Location

Confirm that the project will take place on a single site in England and that the site is within the required distance of an eligible landfill site. Explain how local people will participate in the project.

This can include:

Volunteer activities Community consultation Environmental education Conservation events Accessible nature activities Opportunities for local residents to participate in site management

Step 5: Address Carbon and Sustainability

Applicants should explain how the project will reduce environmental impact and contribute towards a carbon-neutral site.

Step 6: Secure Permissions

Ensure that planning, environmental, land-management, or other necessary permissions are in place before the project begins.

Step 7: Prepare the Funding Request

Prepare a realistic budget showing how the requested grant will contribute to the project’s eligible activities and long-term environmental outcomes.

Step 8: Meet the Delivery Timeline

The project must physically start within four months of receiving the grant and must be completed within 12 months of the project start date. What Makes a Strong Application? A competitive application should demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed investment and measurable environmental outcomes.

Applicants should:

Clearly define the biodiversity problem. Explain the baseline condition of the site. Provide measurable biodiversity objectives. Demonstrate that the project will not damage existing habitats. Explain how the project will benefit local communities. Include meaningful volunteer participation. Demonstrate public accessibility. Provide a realistic implementation timetable. Explain how carbon impacts will be reduced. Provide a clear and justified budget. Confirm that all required permissions are available. Common Mistakes to Avoid Applicants should avoid proposals that fail to demonstrate the programme’s core environmental requirements.

Common weaknesses include:

Applying for a site that does not meet the location requirements. Applying when the organisation does not own the project land. Providing insufficient evidence of biodiversity improvement. Focusing primarily on general community activities rather than habitat outcomes. Failing to explain volunteer involvement. Ignoring car