Communities Grant for Young People to Access Nature (UK)

The Communities Grant provides £500 to eligible charities and non-profit organizations in selected areas of the United Kingdom to help young people from underserved communities access outdoor learning and nature-based experiences. Funding is available under three themes—Nature & Nurture, Transport & Travel, and Wellies & Waterproofs—to remove barriers to environmental education and strengthen young people’s connection with nature.

Communities Grant for Outdoor Learning and Nature Connection in the UK

What is the Communities Grant?

The Communities Grant supports charities and non-profit organizations that help young people experience the benefits of nature through outdoor learning, environmental education, and access to green spaces.

The programme is designed to remove financial and practical barriers that prevent young people, particularly those from underserved communities, from participating in outdoor activities. Funding can be used to improve outdoor learning environments, cover travel costs for educational visits, or purchase outdoor clothing and equipment.

Each successful organization can receive a grant of £500.

Funding Overview

The Communities Grant offers:

• Grant amount: £500
• Supports outdoor learning and nature-based activities
• Available to eligible organizations in selected postcode areas of the United Kingdom

Programme Objectives

The grant aims to:

• Increase young people’s access to nature.
• Promote outdoor learning and environmental education.
• Improve biodiversity within community spaces.
• Remove financial barriers to outdoor participation.
• Support disadvantaged and underserved communities.
• Encourage healthy, active lifestyles.
• Strengthen environmental awareness and stewardship.

Funding Themes

The programme offers funding under three distinct themes.

Nature & Nurture

This theme supports projects that improve outdoor learning environments and biodiversity.

Eligible activities include:

• Creating wildflower meadows.
• Developing raised planting beds.
• Establishing allotment gardens.
• Creating ponds.
• Developing woodland learning areas.
• Building sensory gardens.
• Purchasing outdoor learning resources.
• Buying bird boxes.
• Purchasing wildlife identification charts.
• Providing natural craft materials.

Activities Not Supported Under Nature & Nurture

Funding cannot be used for capital infrastructure such as:

• Playground equipment.
• Storage sheds.
• Other major construction works.

Transport & Travel

This theme helps organizations cover transportation costs for outdoor learning experiences.

Funding may support travel to:

• Outdoor learning centres.
• Ernest Cook Trust learning sites.
• Forest schools.
• Countryside parks.
• National parks.
• Farms.
• Coastal environments.
• Beaches.
• Other nature-focused educational destinations.

Wellies & Waterproofs

Funding supports the purchase of outdoor clothing and equipment to ensure young people can participate regardless of financial circumstances.

Examples include:

• Waterproof jackets.
• Waterproof trousers.
• Wellington boots.
• Outdoor clothing.
• Essential outdoor equipment.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• UK-registered charities.
• Community Interest Companies (CICs).
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs).
• Other eligible non-profit organizations.

Organizations must:

• Operate within the eligible postcode areas.
• Have objectives aligned with the Ernest Cook Trust.
• Work with young people aged 11–19 years.
• Support young people up to 25 years with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), where applicable.

Priority is given to organizations serving young people experiencing:

• Social disadvantage.
• Physical disadvantage.
• Economic disadvantage.
• Community disadvantage.

Eligible Locations

Funding is available to organizations located within the following postcode areas:

Cumbria

• CA
• LA5–LA23

Glos/Wilts/Avon

• GL
• SN
• BS

Only organizations operating within these postcode areas are eligible.

Organizational Requirements

Applicants must have:

• An up-to-date safeguarding policy.
• An organizational bank account.
• A governing document, such as:
  • Constitution.
  • Memorandum of Association.
• A board or management committee consisting of at least three unrelated individuals.

Who is Not Eligible?

The following are not eligible:

• Schools.
• Colleges.
• Universities.
• Local authorities.
• Individuals.
• Sole traders.
• Organizations outside the eligible postcode areas.
• Applications submitted on behalf of another organization.

Why This Grant Matters

Outdoor learning provides important educational, physical, and emotional benefits for young people.

This programme helps:

• Increase access to nature.
• Improve mental health and wellbeing.
• Encourage environmental stewardship.
• Support biodiversity projects.
• Build practical outdoor skills.
• Remove financial barriers to participation.
• Promote inclusive learning opportunities.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organization:

• Is a qualifying non-profit.
• Operates within the eligible postcode areas.
• Works with the eligible age groups.

Step 2: Choose a Funding Theme

Select the funding category that best matches your project:

• Nature & Nurture.
• Transport & Travel.
• Wellies & Waterproofs.

Step 3: Develop Your Project

Clearly explain:

• The activities you plan to deliver.
• Who will benefit.
• Expected outcomes.
• How funding will improve access to outdoor learning.

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documents

Ensure you have:

• Safeguarding policy.
• Governing document.
• Organizational bank account details.
• Governance information.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete the application with all required information and supporting documentation.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly explain the need for funding.
• Demonstrate benefits for underserved young people.
• Show how the project strengthens connections with nature.
• Include realistic project outcomes.
• Select the most appropriate funding theme.
• Ensure all required documents are included.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Applying from outside the eligible postcode areas.
• Submitting applications on behalf of another organization.
• Requesting funding for ineligible capital infrastructure.
• Omitting safeguarding documentation.
• Providing incomplete governance information.
• Failing to explain how young people will benefit.
• Choosing an inappropriate funding category.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Communities Grant?

The Communities Grant provides £500 to eligible charities and non-profit organizations that help young people access outdoor learning and nature-based experiences.

2. How much funding is available?

Successful applicants receive £500.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, Community Interest Companies, Charitable Incorporated Organisations, and other qualifying non-profit organizations located within the eligible postcode areas.

4. What types of projects are supported?

Projects may involve:

• Improving outdoor learning spaces.
• Supporting biodiversity.
• Covering transport costs for outdoor educational visits.
• Purchasing outdoor clothing and equipment.

5. Which areas are eligible?

Organizations must operate within:

• Cumbria: CA and LA5–LA23.
• Glos/Wilts/Avon: GL, SN, and BS postcode areas.

6. Who benefits from the programme?

The programme supports young people aged 11–19 years, or up to 25 years for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with priority given to underserved communities.

7. Why is this grant important?

The Communities Grant removes financial barriers to outdoor learning, helping young people develop stronger connections with nature, improve wellbeing, gain environmental knowledge, and participate in meaningful outdoor experiences.

Conclusion

The Communities Grant provides valuable support for charities and non-profit organizations working to improve access to nature and outdoor learning for young people across eligible areas of the United Kingdom. Through funding for Nature & Nurture, Transport & Travel, and Wellies & Waterproofs, the programme helps organizations create inclusive outdoor learning opportunities, strengthen environmental education, and ensure that financial barriers do not prevent young people from experiencing the benefits of nature. Eligible organizations are encouraged to develop impactful projects that promote biodiversity, wellbeing, and lifelong connections with the natural environment.