Applications Open: Severn Waste Services Community Action Fund 2026 (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 19-Aug-2026

Applications are now open for the Severn Waste Services Community Action Fund 2026, which provides grants to support projects that improve public amenities and enhance biodiversity across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Supported through the Landfill Communities Fund, the program helps community organizations deliver environmental improvements, upgrade public facilities, improve access to community spaces, and protect local habitats and wildlife.

About the Fund

The Severn Waste Services Community Action Fund is supported by Severn Waste Services, an FCC Environment company, with funding administered by the FCC Communities Foundation.

The fund supports projects that deliver long-term benefits to local communities through improvements to publicly accessible facilities and environmental conservation initiatives.

Funding is available for projects that meet the requirements of Object D or Object DA of the Landfill Communities Fund.

Focus Areas

The fund supports projects related to:

Community Facilities and Public Amenities

• Community facility improvements
• Repairs and refurbishments
• Public amenity enhancements
• Access improvements
• Landscaping projects
• Recreational infrastructure
• Community space upgrades

Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation

• Habitat restoration
• Biodiversity conservation
• Woodland management
• Reedbed management
• Grazing marsh management
• Wildlife habitat enhancement
• Species protection initiatives
• Environmental improvement projects

Purpose of the Fund

The program aims to:

• Improve public amenities
• Enhance community facilities
• Increase access to public spaces
• Protect and restore biodiversity
• Support environmental conservation
• Strengthen community infrastructure
• Improve recreational opportunities
• Deliver lasting public and environmental benefits

Grant Amount

Organizations may apply for:

• Minimum grant: £5,000
• Maximum grant: £40,000

Project requirements include:

• Maximum total project cost of £250,000 including VAT where applicable
• Projects delivered in phases must be independently deliverable
• Each funded phase must have its own tendering process

Eligible Applicants

Applications are accepted from:

• Registered charities
• Churches
• Parochial church councils
• Parish councils
• Town councils
• Management committees acting on behalf of parish or town councils
• User associations acting on behalf of parish or town councils
• Local authorities
• CASC-registered sports clubs

Site Requirements

Applicants must:

• Own the project site, or
• Hold a lease, or
• Have a long-term written management agreement

In addition:

• At least five years must remain on the lease or management agreement at the time of application

Eligible Locations

Projects must:

• Be located in Herefordshire or Worcestershire
• Be within ten miles of an eligible Severn Waste Services site

Eligible sites include:

• SWS Hill and Moor Landfill Site, Pershore
• SWS Leominster Household Waste Site, Leominster
• SWS Hartlebury Energy from Waste Site

Applicants must verify eligibility using the distance checker provided by the funding administrator.

Eligible Project Sites

Funding is available for publicly accessible locations including:

• Village halls
• Community centres
• Public play areas
• Multi-use games areas
• Skate parks
• BMX tracks
• Sports grounds
• Recreation grounds
• Churches with community spaces available for public hire
• Nature reserves
• Public gardens
• Parks
• Country parks
• Woodlands
• Museums

All supported facilities must be open and accessible to the public.

Eligible Project Costs

The fund can support:

• Contractor costs
• Construction works
• Materials
• Capital items
• Equipment required for project delivery
• Small equipment used by staff or volunteers
• Habitat management works
• Biodiversity enhancement activities

Examples of Eligible Projects

Examples include:

• Replacing windows and doors in community buildings
• Installing playground equipment
• Creating footpaths
• Developing cycleways
• Improving accessibility within nature reserves
• Constructing skate parks
• Habitat restoration projects
• Woodland improvement works
• Biodiversity enhancement initiatives

Ineligible Projects

The fund does not support:

• Projects that have already started
• Routine maintenance activities
• Land purchases
• Staff salaries
• Vehicle purchases or costs
• School-based projects
• Healthcare facilities
• Allotments
• Car park works
• Town centre enhancement schemes
• Membership-only facilities

Why This Fund Matters

Community facilities and natural spaces play an important role in improving quality of life and supporting local biodiversity.

This fund helps organizations improve publicly accessible spaces, enhance recreational opportunities, strengthen community assets, and protect important habitats and wildlife across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Application Tips

Strong applications typically demonstrate:

• Clear community benefit
• Strong environmental impact
• Public accessibility
• Long-term sustainability
• Well-defined project outcomes
• Realistic budgets
• Evidence of local need
• Appropriate site ownership or management arrangements

Common Application Mistakes

Applications may be weakened by:

• Applying for ineligible activities
• Incomplete site ownership documentation
• Weak evidence of community benefit
• Poorly developed project plans
• Unclear budgets
• Failure to verify site eligibility
• Including routine maintenance costs
• Starting work before funding approval

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Severn Waste Services Community Action Fund?

• Registered charities.
• Churches and parochial church councils.
• Parish and town councils.
• Local authorities.
• CASC-registered sports clubs.
• Eligible management committees and user associations.

How much funding is available?

• Grants range from £5,000 to £40,000.
• Projects can have a maximum total cost of £250,000 including VAT where applicable.

What types of projects are supported?

• Community facility improvements.
• Access improvements.
• Play and recreation facilities.
• Habitat restoration.
• Biodiversity conservation.
• Woodland and environmental management projects.

Where must projects be located?

• In Herefordshire or Worcestershire.
• Within ten miles of an eligible Severn Waste Services facility.

Can the fund support biodiversity projects?

• Yes.
• Habitat restoration, woodland management, reedbed management, grazing marsh management, and biodiversity enhancement projects are eligible.

What costs can be funded?

• Contractors.
• Materials.
• Capital items.
• Project equipment.
• Habitat management and improvement works.

What projects are not eligible?

• Projects already underway.
• Routine maintenance.
• Land purchases.
• Staff salaries.
• Vehicle costs.
• School projects.
• Healthcare facilities.
• Membership-only facilities.

Conclusion

The Severn Waste Services Community Action Fund 2026 offers grants of up to £40,000 for projects that improve public amenities and enhance biodiversity across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. By supporting community infrastructure, recreational facilities, habitat restoration, and environmental conservation, the fund helps local organizations deliver lasting benefits for both people and nature.

For more information, visit FCC Communities Foundation.