The second round of the Green Recovery Challenge fund will award up to £40 million in grants up to £2 million each to environmental charities and their partners across England to create and retain jobs while restoring nature and tackling climate change.
All projects must contribute to at least one of the following themes of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund:
- Nature conservation and restoration.
- Nature-based solutions, particularly focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- Connecting people with nature.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow commented: “I am delighted to launch the second round of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund to help kick-start more projects to restore nature, tackle climate change and create and retain thousands of jobs as society comes together for our planet.
“This is more important than ever as we build back greener from the coronavirus pandemic.
“In the first round, we awarded grants across a broad variety of environmental projects, ranging from planting trees, and restoring peatlands to connecting people with green spaces, forests and protected landscapes.
“I encourage more organisations to apply so we can continue to make a real difference.”
The fund will be delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency.
Almost £40 million was awarded in November in the first round to 68 projects that will help to restore damaged habitats such as moorlands, wetlands and forests, which will see over 800,000 trees planted.
The projects will also support conservation work and help to improve education about the environment.
For grants of over £250,000, applicants must submit an expression of interest by 22 March and if successful will be invited to submit a full application.
The deadline for applications under £250,000 is 14 April.
More information about the Green Recovery Challenge Fund and how to apply is available on the National Lottery Heritage Fund website.
