Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The GM Nature Network Grants programme supports charitable and third sector organisations to create and restore wildlife-rich land across Greater Manchester. The programme offers habitat restoration and creation grants of up to £30,000 and enabling grants of up to £5,000. Funded projects must take place within approved Greater Manchester Nature Network opportunity areas and support the goals of the Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Overview of the GM Nature Network Grants Programme
The GM Nature Network Grants programme helps organisations improve biodiversity and support nature recovery across Greater Manchester.
The funding is designed for projects that create new wildlife-rich habitats, restore degraded land, or prepare land for future habitat improvement.
The programme contributes to the ambitions of the Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy, especially Target 3, which focuses on expanding and improving nature-rich areas.
Key Focus Areas
The programme focuses on practical habitat improvement and ecological recovery.
Key focus areas include:
- Habitat creation
- Habitat restoration
- Wildlife-rich land development
- Biodiversity improvement
- Nature recovery
- Restoration of poor-quality or degraded land
- Enabling works for future habitat enhancement
- Creation of new wildlife-rich sites
- Greater Manchester Nature Network opportunity areas
- Delivery of Target 3 of the Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Purpose of the Grant
The purpose of the GM Nature Network Grants programme is to support charitable and third sector organisations in restoring nature across Greater Manchester.
The programme helps organisations turn poor-quality or degraded sites into wildlife-rich habitats. It also supports preparatory activities that allow land to become suitable for future habitat creation or restoration.
By funding local nature recovery work, the programme aims to strengthen ecological networks and improve the long-term health of natural spaces across the region.
Funding Streams
Two funding streams are available under the GM Nature Network Grants programme.
Habitat Restoration and Creation Grants
Habitat restoration and creation grants support projects that establish, restore, or enhance wildlife-rich habitats.
Grants of up to £30,000 are available under this stream.
This stream is suitable for organisations that are ready to deliver practical habitat works on approved sites within the Greater Manchester Nature Network.
Enabling Grants
Enabling grants support preparatory activities that help land move towards becoming wildlife-rich in the future.
Grants of up to £5,000 are available under this stream.
This stream is suitable for early-stage work such as surveys, planning, professional advice, or other activities needed before full habitat restoration or creation can take place.
What the Grant Can Support
Grant funding may be used for eligible project costs that directly support approved nature recovery activities.
Eligible costs may include:
- Capital works
- Professional fees
- Ecological surveys
- Labour costs
- Limited project management expenses
- Preparatory works for future habitat restoration
- Activities that create or enhance wildlife-rich habitats
All costs should be clearly linked to the approved project objectives and site activities.
What the Grant Cannot Support
The funding cannot be used for activities or costs that fall outside the programme rules.
Ineligible costs include:
- Maintenance of existing wildlife-rich habitats
- Costs incurred before the grant agreement is signed
- Recoverable VAT
- Activities already funded from another source
- Expenditure listed as ineligible in the programme guidance
- Works outside approved Greater Manchester Nature Network sites
- Changes to project sites or locations without prior written approval
Applicants should carefully check eligibility before preparing a budget.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include charitable and third sector organisations.
Eligible organisations may include:
- Registered charities
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations
- Community Interest Companies
- Social Enterprises
- Community Benefit Societies
Applicants must deliver funded activities within approved sites located in the Greater Manchester Nature Network.
Projects must align with the objectives stated in the approved application.
Site and Landowner Requirements
All funded activities must take place on approved project sites within the Greater Manchester Nature Network.
Applicants must provide either:
- Written permission from the landowner, or
- Evidence of ownership of the project site
The permission or ownership evidence must cover delivery of the approved works and access for monitoring and maintenance for at least three years after project completion.
Any changes to approved project sites or locations must receive prior written approval.
Explanation of Key Concepts
Wildlife-Rich Land
Wildlife-rich land is land that provides strong habitat value for native plants, animals, insects, birds, and other species.
It may include areas with native vegetation, wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, ponds, hedgerows, or other habitats that support biodiversity.
Habitat Creation
Habitat creation means developing new natural spaces where wildlife can live, feed, breed, and move.
Examples may include planting native species, creating ponds, establishing wildflower areas, or developing habitat corridors.
Habitat Restoration
Habitat restoration means improving land that has been degraded, damaged, or reduced in ecological quality.
Restoration may involve removing invasive species, improving soil or water conditions, replanting native vegetation, or reconnecting fragmented habitats.
Enabling Works
Enabling works are preparatory activities that make future habitat restoration or creation possible.
These may include surveys, design work, feasibility studies, planning, professional advice, or initial site preparation.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy
A Local Nature Recovery Strategy is a regional plan that identifies priorities and opportunities for improving biodiversity and restoring natural habitats.
The GM Nature Network Grants programme supports projects that contribute to Greater Manchester’s nature recovery goals.
Why It Matters
The GM Nature Network Grants programme matters because biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, and degraded land reduce the ability of local ecosystems to support wildlife and communities.
Creating and restoring wildlife-rich habitats can improve biodiversity, strengthen ecological networks, support climate resilience, and increase access to healthier natural spaces.
By supporting charitable and third sector organisations, the programme helps local groups play a direct role in delivering nature recovery across Greater Manchester.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Proposal
Applicants should prepare a clear project proposal that explains the site, habitat need, planned works, budget, permissions, and expected biodiversity outcomes.
Step 1: Confirm Organisational Eligibility
Applicants should first confirm that they are an eligible charitable or third sector organisation.
Eligible structures include registered charities, CIOs, CICs, Social Enterprises, and Community Benefit Societies.
Step 2: Check Site Eligibility
The project site must be located within an approved Greater Manchester Nature Network opportunity area.
Applicants should confirm that the proposed location is eligible before developing the full proposal.
Step 3: Select the Right Funding Stream
Applicants should choose the funding stream that matches the project stage.
Organisations ready to deliver habitat creation or restoration should apply for a habitat restoration and creation grant.
Organisations needing preparatory support should apply for an enabling grant.
Step 4: Define the Habitat Problem
The application should clearly explain the condition of the land and why action is needed.
Examples may include degraded habitat, poor biodiversity value, invasive species, poor soil condition, lack of native vegetation, or limited wildlife connectivity.
Step 5: Explain the Proposed Activities
Applicants should describe the practical works or enabling activities they will deliver.
This may include habitat creation, habitat restoration, surveys, professional advice, site preparation, capital works, or labour for ecological improvement.
Step 6: Provide Landowner Permission
Applicants must obtain written permission from the landowner or provide evidence of ownership.
The permission must allow delivery of the approved works and access for monitoring and maintenance for at least three years after project completion.
Step 7: Prepare a Clear Budget
The budget should list all requested costs and explain how each cost supports the project.
Applicants should avoid including ineligible costs such as recoverable VAT, previous expenses, duplicated funding, or general maintenance of existing wildlife-rich habitats.
Step 8: Show Long-Term Nature Recovery Value
A strong application should explain how the project will create lasting biodiversity benefits.
Expected outcomes may include new habitat, improved habitat quality, better ecological connectivity, stronger biodiversity, or progress toward Greater Manchester’s nature recovery goals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid errors that could weaken or invalidate their application.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying with a site outside the approved Nature Network area
- Not providing landowner permission or ownership evidence
- Requesting funding for maintenance of existing wildlife-rich habitats
- Including costs incurred before the grant agreement is signed
- Proposing activities already funded from another source
- Providing an unclear habitat restoration plan
- Not linking the project to biodiversity or nature recovery outcomes
- Changing project sites without prior written approval
- Submitting a budget with ineligible or poorly explained costs
- Not planning for monitoring and maintenance access after completion
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be site-specific, practical, and clearly linked to nature recovery.
Applicants should:
- Confirm that the site is within an approved opportunity area
- Choose the correct funding stream
- Clearly describe the current condition of the land
- Explain how the project will create or restore wildlife-rich habitat
- Provide written landowner permission early
- Prepare a realistic and eligible budget
- Show how the project supports the Local Nature Recovery Strategy
- Include professional advice or surveys where needed
- Explain how the site will be monitored and maintained
- Demonstrate long-term biodiversity value
FAQ
1. What is the GM Nature Network Grants programme?
The GM Nature Network Grants programme supports charitable and third sector organisations to create and restore wildlife-rich land across Greater Manchester.
2. How much funding is available?
Habitat restoration and creation grants of up to £30,000 are available. Enabling grants of up to £5,000 are also available for preparatory activities.
3. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations, Community Interest Companies, Social Enterprises, and Community Benefit Societies.
4. Where must funded activities take place?
All funded activities must take place within approved sites located in the Greater Manchester Nature Network.
5. What can the grant pay for?
The grant may support eligible costs such as capital works, professional fees, surveys, labour costs, and limited project management expenses.
6. What costs are not eligible?
The grant cannot be used for maintenance of existing wildlife-rich habitats, costs incurred before the grant agreement is signed, recoverable VAT, activities already funded elsewhere, or expenditure listed as ineligible in the programme guidance.
7. Is landowner permission required?
Yes. Applicants must provide written landowner permission or evidence of ownership covering delivery of the works and access for monitoring and maintenance for at least three years after project completion.
Conclusion
The GM Nature Network Grants programme provides targeted support for organisations working to restore biodiversity and create wildlife-rich habitats across Greater Manchester.
With grants of up to £30,000 for habitat restoration and creation, and up to £5,000 for enabling works, the programme helps charitable and third sector organisations deliver practical nature recovery projects. Strong applications should clearly demonstrate site eligibility, landowner permission, biodiversity benefits, eligible costs, and alignment with the Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
For more information, visit Action Together.