Moneywise - Access to Nature

Regeneration & Renewal, 16 May 2008

How much is it worth? The total allocation for the Access to Nature programme is £25 million. Grants range from £50,000 to £500,000.

What's it for? The initiative aims to encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors, particularly those who are at risk of social exclusion or have little or no contact with the natural environment. The programme will fund projects that expect to result in: a greater number and diversity of people with improved opportunities to experience the natural environment; more people having opportunities to learn about the natural environment and gain new skills; more people being able to enjoy the natural environment through investment in access to natural places; and an increase in communities' sense of ownership of local natural places, by establishing strong partnerships between communities, councils, voluntary organisations and others.

Who is eligible? The programme will only award grants to: community groups governed by a written constitution; registered charities; statutory bodies, including schools, colleges, councils and health organisations; companies that are not registered charities but have a charitable purpose and a community focus; mutual societies; charitable or not-for-profit companies; and church-based and other faith groups.

Who runs it? Access to Nature is managed by rural adviser Natural England on behalf of a consortium of 12 national environmental organisations, including itself, British Waterways and the RSPB.

- How to apply For more information, visit www.naturalengland.org.uk.