CFAs: Anglian Water’s Thriving Communities Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 16-Oct-2026

The Anglian Water Thriving Communities Fund supports non-profit organisations delivering projects that improve the natural water environment while creating measurable social benefits for local communities across the Anglian Water region. Over the next five years, the fund will provide £5.8 million for initiatives that align environmental stewardship with community wellbeing. Grants range from £5,000 to £100,000 and can support activities such as habitat restoration, biodiversity enhancement, water quality improvements, sustainable drainage, and nature-based solutions.

About the Thriving Communities Fund

The Thriving Communities Fund is designed to empower non-profit organisations to lead practical projects that deliver benefits for both nature and people.

The fund combines two core objectives:

- Improving the natural water environment. - Creating positive and measurable social impact. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection between environmental improvements and benefits for local communities. Funding Available Grants range from £5,000 to £100,000. The fund will allocate a total of £5.8 million over five years to eligible initiatives within the Anglian Water region. Funding can contribute to practical project costs associated with delivering environmental and community outcomes. What Projects Does the Fund Support? The fund supports projects that nurture, repair, protect, or sustain the natural water environment.

Relevant environments include:

- Rivers. - Streams. - Wetlands. - Connected ecosystems. Projects should deliver tangible physical improvements to the water environment rather than simply raising awareness without a measurable environmental outcome. Biodiversity Enhancement Projects that improve biodiversity can be supported where they contribute to the health of the natural water environment. Activities may focus on improving habitats and creating conditions that support a wider range of species. Applicants should demonstrate how proposed biodiversity activities will produce measurable environmental improvements. Habitat Restoration Habitat restoration is another important area supported by the fund. Projects can include practical work to restore or enhance habitats associated with rivers, streams, wetlands, and connected ecosystems. The emphasis is on physical improvements that create lasting environmental benefits. Water Quality Improvement The fund supports projects designed to improve water quality. Applicants should explain the water-quality problem being addressed and demonstrate how their proposed activities will contribute to measurable improvement. Projects that combine water-quality improvement with community involvement can be particularly relevant to the fund’s objectives. Sustainable Drainage Systems The fund can support sustainable drainage systems in public spaces. Such projects can help communities manage water more sustainably while improving local environmental conditions. Applicants should demonstrate the physical environmental benefits expected from the proposed drainage intervention. Nature-Based Solutions Nature-based solutions are encouraged where they help address environmental challenges.

Projects may use natural approaches to:

- Reduce pollution. - Reduce flood risk. - Improve habitats. - Strengthen the resilience of water environments. The proposed solution should produce tangible improvements to the natural water environment. Community and Social Impact Environmental improvement alone is not sufficient. Projects must also demonstrate clear social benefits. Social impact can be achieved through activities such as: - Community engagement. - Environmental education. - Volunteering. - Support for vulnerable groups. Applicants should explain how local people will participate in or benefit from the project. Community Engagement Active community participation is an important feature of the fund. Projects can involve local residents in environmental improvement activities, helping communities understand and participate in protecting their local water environment. Applications should clearly explain the role communities will play in delivering the proposed project. Education and Awareness Environmental education can form part of an eligible project when it is connected to tangible improvements to the natural water environment. Applicants should show how educational activities contribute to broader environmental and social outcomes rather than functioning as a standalone awareness project. Volunteering Opportunities Projects can generate social value by creating opportunities for local people to volunteer. Volunteers may participate in appropriate environmental activities while developing stronger connections with their local natural environment. Supporting Vulnerable Groups The fund also recognises projects that provide social benefits to vulnerable groups. Applicants should identify the communities or groups that will benefit and explain how project participation or outcomes will improve their wellbeing or access to positive community experiences. Eligible Project Costs Funding can support a range of costs directly connected to project delivery.

Eligible costs include:

- Habitat creation. - Species conservation. - Physical groundwork. - Equipment. - Materials. - Staff directly involved in project delivery. - Reasonable travel expenses. Costs should be directly relevant to delivering the proposed environmental and social outcomes. Costs the Fund Does Not Support Certain costs and activities are excluded.

The fund does not support:

- Infrastructure unrelated to the water environment. - Land purchase, except in special cases. - Legal fees. - Planning fees. - Projects outside the Anglian Water region. Applicants should ensure that their proposed budget focuses on eligible project delivery costs. Who Can Apply? The fund is open to non-profit organisations operating within the Anglian Water region. Applicants must have a proven track re