Finding Funding

To make biodiversity projects happen in your institution you will need to dedicate time to planning how you will secure and manage funds. Ideally you will secure internal funds by presenting a business case to senior managers. You may be able to negotiate funds to be designated from existing grounds maintenance or environmental management budgets. If you can show that your initiatives add additional value to your institution you may be able to get additional funds allocated. You may also be able to approach your key suppliers to offer them sponsorship opportunities.

Alongside funds that you secure from your institution, there are potential sources of external funding for biodiversity projects that you could consider. A selection of funds may have specific application in the Further and Higher Education (FHE) sectors are provided here. Be prepared for potentially lengthy application processes.

Alice McCosh Trust

Aims to ‘advance education by providing or assisting with grants for work or study related to natural history and/or the environment’.

Grants in the region of £600 to £1000 for project relating to research and curriculum.

www.thealicemccoshtrust.org.uk

Biffa Awards

Set up through the Landfill Communities Fund to support a wide range of community and environmental projects across the UK. Potentially applicable to Universities and Colleges if the project allows public access.

www.biffa-award.org

Countryside Stewardship: woodland support

Central Government funding that applies to woodland creation or improvement, tree health restoration or improvement and the preparation of a woodland management plan. New applicants should contact their area Forestry Commission office.

www.gov.uk/government/collections/countryside-stewardship-woodland-support

Entrust – Landfill Communities Fund (LCF)

Funding under the Landfill Tax Regulations 1996 may be available to biodiversity projects if they provide public access.

www.entrust.org.uk

The Forestry Commission Scotland Community Fund

Funding for Universities and Colleges in Scotland may be available if they can meet the Scottish Forestry Strategy Objective for ‘Improved health and well-being of people and their communities’.

www.scotland.forestry.gov.uk/images/Community-Fund-Guidance.pdf

Grow Wild Community Awards 2016

Funding may be available if there is community benefit and involvement, especially young people aged 12-25.

www.growwilduk.com/content/community-project-funding

The Scottish Government Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS)

Support may be available for the creation of new woodlands – contributing towards the Scottish Government target of 10,000 hectares of new woodlands per year and the sustainable management of existing woodlands.

www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/forestry-grant-scheme

The Scottish Government – Management, Restoration or Creation of Hedgerows

Fund that aims to create, restore or manage hedges as a habitat for wildlife and/or a landscape feature.

www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/management-options-and-capital-items/management--restoration-or-creation-of-hedgerows

Scottish Natural Heritage

Funding for public bodies is considered if a project meets Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Funding Priorities.

www.snh.gov.uk/funding/our-grants

SITA Trust

SITA Trust provides funding through the Landfill Communities Fund and Scottish Landfill Communities Fund. English funds; Communities Programme and Accessing Nature need to be linked to direct community benefits. In Scotland, not-for-profit organisations can apply for funds relating to biodiversity.

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