TAYSIDE BIODIVERSITY

FUNDING INFORMATION

Spring/Summer 2007

A compilation of information received by the Partnership –
please check application deadlines carefully

TAYSIDE FUNDING ADVICE

Dundee
Contact Diane Milne on 01382 434653 or e-mail diane.milne@dundeecity.gov.uk

Angus
Contact Linda Caston on 01307 473221 or e-mail externalfunding@angus.gov.uk

Perth and Kinross
Contact Perth and Kinross Grants Direct on 0845 605 2000 or e-mail enquiries@pkgrantsdirect.com

SITA TAYSIDE BIODIVERSITY ACTION FUND

The next deadline for receiving applications is 13th July (and thereafter quarterly).  Please bear in mind that at present there is only one year’s funding left (from September 2007 to August 2008), so projects will need to take this into consideration. Please contact Serge Merone or Douglas Calderwood: Tel. 0845 605 2000.  The application form and Guidance Notes can be downloaded from www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk.

COMMUNITY GROUPS IN RURAL SCOTLAND

Innovative community projects - or an activity that encourages greater community involvement and is exclusive to a rural area - can apply for funding through the Rural Development Small Award Fund (RDSAF).

The programme is scheduled to close at some point during the summer of 2007.  This Scottish Executive fund was established in September 2005 with £0.5 million to offer support in the form of one-off grants of up to £5,000 for innovative community projects or activities relating to project planning, maximising community involvement, capacity building, consultation exercises or gathering of local ideas. The fund does not support running costs. No match funding is required.

Contact the Fund Secretariat to discuss the project idea before submitting an application: 0131 2443885; mailto:RDSAF@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

ABBEY CHARITABLE TRUST

There are three priority areas aimed at disadvantaged communities: Education and training; Financial advice; and Community regeneration, particularly environmental projects and activities which help bring different groups together.

Funding (of between £500 and £4,000) is for capital items, salaries and sessional worker fees. They prefer to fund a complete element of a project and do not make partial donations to large fundraising appeals.

Apply in writing to the Abbey Charitable Trust, P.O. Box 911, Milton Keynes, MK9 1AD. Further details of what to include in your application letter are on the website at www.abbeynational.com.

LIFE+

Life+, DG Environment's financial instrument for the environment, is expected to be in force by mid-June 2007. It is broader in its application, including a theme relating to halting the loss of biodiversity (including areas outside of Natura 2000) and actions concerned with forest fire prevention and awareness raising campaigns.  

Life+ Nature will co-finance "best practice" or "demonstration" projects. These may also include actions for improving the ecological coherence and connectivity of the Natura 2000 network.  Life+ Biodiversity projects related to halting the loss of biodiversity must also show their "innovative" or "demonstration" character.  

The main change is the enlargement in the scope of the programme by moving away from nature projects linked solely to the EU Birds' and Habitats' Directives and Natura 2000 sites.  In future, Life+ will also provide co-financing for projects concerned with halting the loss of biodiversity.  These Life+ Biodiversity projects may take place outside Natura 2000 sites but must involve the demonstration of innovative methods and techniques.

Land purchase (under certain conditions) will continue to be possible, but only within Natura 2000 areas.  Concrete conservation actions will need to amount to at least 20% of a project's budget. Recurring actions (e.g. day to day operations) are ineligible. The co-financing rate for Life+ Nature projects is in general 50%, rising to a maximum of 75% when clearly targeting priority species and habitats. 

Life+ Nature and Biodiversity projects will compete for funding with the Life+ Environmental Policy and Governance projects, as well as with Life+ Information and Communication projects. The Commission will encourage larger projects (minimum indicative budget of €3 million).   Life+ promises more funding for nature and biodiversity than in the past.  Whereas Life III delivered some €70 million p.a. for nature conservation projects, Life+ promises a 70% increase in this amount, meaning an average of some €120 million p.a.  

Application forms and guides are being prepared and drafts should be available on the Life website (http://ec.europa.eu/life) in July 2007. The call for proposals will be launched in mid-September and the process until beneficiaries are informed of selected projects will take up to autumn 2008.
http://www.eurosite.org/insight_brussels/2007_03/index.html

NEW PRIMETIME LOTTERY FUND – SCOTLAND

The new Big Lottery Fund “Primetime”, with £3million to distribute in Scotland, is specifically aimed at supporting older people (over 55s), and includes priorities for health, community action and intergenerational interaction.  Grants will be made between the value of £100K and £500K over 5 years.   Deadline: 31 August.  Further details via www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_primetime.htm?
regioncode=-uk&status=theProg.

TESCO CHARITY TRUST

The 2007 deadline for funding applications from organisations supporting elderly people and people with disabilities is on 30 June.  The scheme also provides funding for children's educational projects, including special needs schools.

The sum of £360,000 is available each year to local and national charities throughout the UK in areas with a Tesco store.  Awards are between £1,500 and £5,000 and given as one-off contributions through the Community Awards Scheme.

Organisations must submit brief details of the proposed project before the closing date. If the criteria fit the project, application forms are posted in July and a decision made known by November.

Details can be found at http://www.tescocorporate.com/images/tesco_4pp.pdf; applications should be sent to Tesco Charity Trust, Tesco House, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.  Queries to 01992 646768; Fax: 01992 646794.

PLAYGROUND PARTNERSHIPS 2007

Grants of £1k, £2k, £5k and £10k are available for playground improvements. Applicants need to submit a clear plan on how the school would spend any award money and the work that the children have put in to decide on their dream play space.  Check www.playgroundpartnerships.org for full details.  The deadline is 20 July 2007.

PATHS TO HEALTH

Paths to Health exists to support walking for health schemes in Scotland. A deadline of 31 August has been set for the next round of grant applications from community health walk projects. Please call the Paths to Health office on 01259 218855 and ask to speak to the Development Officer for your area if you would like to discuss a potential grant application; check also www.pathsforall.org.uk/pathstohealth/

RSPB SMALL RESEARCH GRANTS
The British Birdwatching Fair and the RSPB are pleased to announce the opening of the 2007 Round of applications to the Birdfair/RSPB Research Fund for Endangered Birds.

This fund provides grants of up to US$2,000 for researchers working on birds classified by IUCN as Endangered or Critically Endangered. The fund is open to all, though priority is given to those working with or for BirdLife Partners where they exist.  Priority is also given to researchers working in their own country. Further details and an application form are available at
www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/science/international/smallgrants/
endangeredbirdgrants.asp   or www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/science/international/smallgrants/
endangeredbirdgrants.asp.    If you have trouble viewing this or downloading the application form, please contact me direct.

A generous private donation means we are able to fund more projects this year than ever before. The closing date is 30 September 2007. Grants will be awarded in December 2007.

Dr Paul F Donald, International Research Team
RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy
Bedfordshire SG19 2DL
Tel. 01767 693063; paul.donald@rspb.org.uk; 
www.rspb.org.uk

THE CO-OPERATIVE FOUNDATION

The scheme is to support community and voluntary sector activity through giving grants to local groups and organisations across its trading area.   Grants from £500 to £30,000 are available for part or total funding for one-year projects.

Contact the Charity Manager at foundation@coop.co.uk or Tel. 01706 202032.  Deadlines - 7 September and 1 December 2007.

COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL RENEWAL SCHEME
Grants of up to £100,000 will be awarded to support projects within communities that can demonstrate that they have been affected by local aggregates extraction activities, and which will improve the local environment for and with communities.   
Both schemes will run for one year to the end of March 2008. Applications may be made to both schemes but funding will only be awarded from one fund. 

The first deadline for applications is 27 June 2007.  Further details from Forward Scotland, Tel: 0560 0010 560,
email: enquiries@forward-scotland.org.uk,
web: http://www.forwardscotland.org.uk/funding/fs_funding.cfm

B&Q “YOU CAN DO IT” AWARD

This annual grant award is now open for applications. Community groups and charities can apply for upto £5,000 of B&Q products to help improve local facilities such as community centres and communal gardens. In addition, each local B&Q store has a budget to provide grants of £50 - £500 to community grants under its Better Neighbour Grant Scheme.  Contact – http://tinyurl.com/cbukz

IT’S YOUR COMMUNITY

The award encourages people to "think global and act local". Grants can be used for the hire of tools or equipment and to purchase plants, paint, signs, materials etc. All types of environmental projects such as turning derelict land into an amenity park or wildlife area, tree planting, creating a wildlife pond, renovating neglected river and canal footpaths, providing water butts and recycling facilities in village halls will be considered by the Conservation Foundation which manages and judges the awards.

Grants are available of up to £1,000 for projects designed to improve the local environment. Any local amenity group, community council, school, youth club, heritage group, environmental and conservation group and individuals who can show that their project will benefit their local environment and have a bank account may apply.  Application forms are available in O2 shops or by emailing The Conservation Foundation -libbysymon@conservationfoundation.co.uk

Deadline - applications are accepted throughout the year. Judging takes place on the 20th of each month except August and December. Funding must be spent within three months of the recipient receiving the award.

LANDFILL TAX CREDIT SCHEME FUNDS

Visit http://www.grantfinder.co.uk/ for information about a wide range of grants including
Landfill Tax Credit Scheme funds.

BIFFAWARD LANDFILL COMMUNITIES FUND

The Biffaward has awarded more than £80 million to worthwhile projects since 1997.  Every year a large number of projects across the UK are supported which enhance communities or biodiversity, sometimes both.  Grants are available from as little as £250 up to £500,000 through the Small Grants, Main Grants and Flagship schemes.  The website: www.biffaward.org has just been relaunched.  
 
One recent change to the grants criteria is that biodiversity and Flagship projects can be funded within 25 miles of a Biffa operation (previously 10 miles).  This means that many more applications can be accepted for funding – great news for wildlife and major projects.  We are also keen to hear from museums and other cultural facilities.
 
For further information, contact the Grants Officers, or Helen Brimblecombe, PR & Promotions Officer, Biffaward, Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road,
Newark, Nottinghamshire. NG24 1WT
 
E-mail: hbrimblecombe@rswt.org; Tel: 01636 670083 (direct dial); Fax: 0870 036 0101; Website: www.biffaward.org.

TWO NEW SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

There will be two new sources of funding for environmental projects from the Scottish Executive under the banner of Natural Scotland: It's Our Future.  The Environmental Justice Fund has £2 million available for communities, and The Community Environmental Renewal Scheme has some £1.75 million. The schemes are being managed by Forward Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Executive, and will run to the end of March 2008.

The Environmental Justice Fund (EJF)
Grants of between £100,000 and £500,000 will be available to improve the quality of local environments in communities that suffer the effects of negative environmental impacts such as past or present industry, pollution or other damaging activities. 

Applications will be particularly welcomed from community organisations such as Community Councils or local community/voluntary groups, although a range of organisations are eligible to apply, including local authorities and other agencies.  However, awards will only be made where local communities are fully engaged in the design and delivery of the project.

Projects typically supported by EJF will follow two themes: community facilities and amenities; and landscape, access and biodiversity. Partnership funding, whilst welcome, is not a requirement.

The Community Environmental Renewal Scheme (CERS)
This Scheme will award grants of up to £100,000 to support projects within communities that can demonstrate that they have been affected by local aggregates extraction activities, and which will improve the local environment for and with communities. Partnership funding is not a requirement, and the scheme aims to directly support community organisations in delivering their projects. There is no minimum grant size and projects typically supported by CERS will be directed at the provision, restoration, protection or the promotion of understanding of one or more of the following three themes:

• Landscape;
• habitats and local biodiversity;
• the built or cultural environment, including historic, geological or archaeological heritage; community recreational amenities.

What next?
Organisations who wish to submit an application are encouraged to contact Forward Scotland and discuss their project in the first instance.  Further details of the schemes and application packs can be obtained from:     0870 974 2324 (CERS) or 0870 974 2325 (EJF); www.forward-cotland.org.uk/funding; Email: cers@forward-scotland.org.uk; ejf@forward-scotland.org.uk, or by Post - c/o Forward Scotland, The Lodge, Earlsgate House, St Ninian's Road, Stirling, FK8 2HE.

ANGUS COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT SCHEME  

The Open Golf Championship returns to Carnoustie in July 2007. In advance of this, Angus Council are offering small grants for environmental improvements in areas which will be widely seen by visitors, to brighten up and enhance the area. This scheme covers the whole of Angus, not just Carnoustie. Eligible projects include flower planting or screening, hanging baskets, repainting of fences or railings, improving derelict areas, removal of graffiti, litter picking. Work must take place between 1 May and 30 September 2007.   The maximum grant award will be £500. This can be for the total cost of your project or a contribution towards it.

Constituted local community or voluntary groups, local partnerships, businesses or retailers. Schools cannot apply but can be part of a community or partnership bid. Not open to individuals. No deadline. Grants will be awarded on a first come-first served basis.  Contact the External Funding team for an application form - County Buildings, Market Street, Forfar DD8 3WD, Tel. 01307 461460; ecdev@angus.gov.uk. Fax: 01307 467357.  

BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY GRANTS FOR SCHOOL GROUNDS

The British Ecological Society (BES) provides grants of up to £1,000 to support initiatives that promotes the development of school grounds for the teaching of Ecology in an outdoor setting. The funding is available towards such activities as - for example - building a school pond, or developing a nature reserve within the school grounds.

The BES would like to promote the use of ecological areas within the wider communities and would hope that schools do not restrict their projects to specific year groups or keystages. Applications which can show greater commitment to the wider community are more likely to succeed.  In addition the BES is willing to part-fund larger projects which have already received funding from other sources.

There are three application deadlines per year: 30th April, 30th September and 31st January.  Further details from: http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/articles/grants/
education/EEG/#School_Ground_Developments

COMMUNITY FUNDING (BREATHING PLACES)

www.awardsforall.org.uk
www.hlf.org.uk/English/HowToApply/OurGrant
GivingProgrammes/Parks%2Bfor%2
Visit www.biglotteryfund.co.uk for more information on these and other lottery grants.

COMMUNITY TREES FUND
Run by the Tree Council, applications are invited for grants to plant trees during National Tree Week at the end of November. Closing date for grant applications is 31st May 2007. More information from: www.treecouncil.org.uk/Grants. 

WEBSITE FUNDING LINKS
Thanks to DundeeCity Council for the website links for various funding bodies:
 
www.shellspringboard.org/
www.helpyourselves.org.uk/index.jsp
www.gatesfoundation.org/default.htm
www.snh.org.uk/
www.tudortrust.org.uk
www.treecouncil.org.uk
www.projectscotland.co.uk/
www.visitscotland.org/challenge_fund.htm
www.baringfoundation.org.uk/
www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk/funding3.asp
www.youngscot.org/actionfund/
www.thefsa.net/aboutus.htm
www.sac.org.uk
www.nuffieldfoundation.org.uk
www.btcommunityconnections.com/
www.microsoft.com/uk/community/community/awards/
www.scottishcf.org/
www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk/home.html
www.awardsforall.org.uk
www.aandb.org.uk/scotland/
www.woodland-trust.org.uk/
www.gulbenkian.org.uk/main_f.htm
www.therobertsontrust.org.uk

FUNDING NEWSWIRE
www.ruralgateway.org.uk

Subscribe to a monthly newswire to keep you up to date with the latest developments.

NEW GUIDE TO SECURING GRANT FUNDING

Granting You the Money - A Guide to Securing Grant Funding has been published online.  To download the guide, go to www.lewisclare.com/toolkits.htm.

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Announces £29 Million of Grants

The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation has announced that in 2007 they expect to make grants of £29 million across the UK. The Foundation is one of the largest in the UK and makes grants to organisations which aim to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the UK, both now and in the future. The Foundation makes grants through four programme areas: Arts & Heritage, Education, the Environment and Social Change: Enterprise and Independence. 

KELLY FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST

Interested in providing support to local community projects that provide direct benefits to, and make a difference to, the lives of local people, the Trust will consider both capital and revenue grants.  It is particularly interested in innovative projects and in projects that work in partnership with other local activities to improve the overall quality of life in a given area.  Applications will also be considered for core funding from relatively new organisations seeking to establish themselves.

Grants are usually given in the range of £1,000 to £5,000 for local / regional registered charities.
More information: The Kelly Family Trust, 9 Learmonth Terrace, Edinburgh, EH4 1PG. 0131 315 4879. 

BIG – THE PEOPLE’S MILLIONS

The Big Lottery Fund has reopened its People's Millions. The £15m partnership programme between BIG and ITV now has a maximum grant of £100,000. The programme is open to voluntary and community groups, local authorities, schools and health organisations. Successful applicants are decided by TV votes - scheduled for November 2007. Full details on BIG website

CSV ACTION EARTH

We do not currently have any applications from Tayside, but we would really like some! The £50 grants are incredibly easy to access and open to any group of volunteers doing environmental work that benefits the local community or general biodiversity.  The money is a great resource for small groups and goes quickly.
 
If you are planning any environmental work involving volunteers between now and June 3rd 2007, you could be eligible for an award.  We have easy to access grants of up to £50 which can be used for tools and equipment, plants and shrubs, bird and bat boxes or even to provide volunteer refreshments. Once again we thank Scottish Natural Heritage for their support.

Grants are available on a first come basis, so please apply as soon as possible, even if your event is in May or early June. You can also apply for up to 4 awards if you are doing different events at different locations.

You can register online www.csv.org.uk; http://www.actionearth.org.uk/, download and print out a copy of the registration form, or if you prefer, ring us on 0121 328 7455 or e-mail rhenderson@csv.org.uk  and we'll send you a registration pack.   Have a look at the website to see what others are doing.  We look forward to hearing about the range of exciting work you will be carrying out this year.

J. PAUL GETTY JR. CHARITABLE TRUST
The Trust includes sections on Conservation and the Environment.  Check www.jpgettytrust.org.uk or contact Ms Bridget O'Brien Twohig, Director, 1 Park Square West, London. NW1 4LJ; Tel: 020 7486 1859.

CONSERVATION - in the broadest sense, with emphasis on ensuring that fine buildings, landscapes and collections remain or become available to the general public or scholars. Training in conservation skills. Not general building repair work.

ENVIRONMENT - mainly gardens and historic landscape, but also wilderness.

THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

www.conservationfoundation.co.uk/ActLocalAwards

Up to £1,000 is available to local groups and individuals for the hire of tools or equipment, purchase plants, paint, signs, materials etc.

Applications are considered on the 20th of each month and applicants will be informed by the beginning of the next month. You must be able to spend the money within three months of receiving the award.

ECO SCHOOLS COMPETITION

WATERWAYS TRUST SMALL GRANTS SCHEME

Funding is available to support environmental and educational projects connected to waterways, such as wildlife conservation projects (waterside woodlands in particular) and community-based projects to improve facilities on canals and inland waterways.

Grants up to £1,000 are available to organisations such as community groups or schools, plus private companies, charities and local authorities.   http://www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk/grants/index.shtml

THE ASHDEN TRUST

A grant-making charity focusing on climate change, sustainable development and improving the quality of life in poorer communities funds are available for environmental projects from between £1,000 and £20,000. http://www.ashdentrust.org.uk/ or email: ashdentrust@sfct.org.uk.

VOLVO ECO ADVENTURE
Get involved: visit www.volvoecoadventure.org

YOUNG ROOTS

There have not been many applications to this fund and there is a significant underspend.  Young Roots is a grant programme funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund - managed in partnership with YouthLink Scotland.  It aims to involve 13-20 year olds in finding out about and celebrating their heritage.  The scheme makes awards between £5,000 and £25,000 for projects led by youth and community groups working in partnership with a heritage organisation. Schools can apply, however, if the work they are doing can be shown to be additional to the curriculum. Total project costs should not be more than £50,000, and the project should last for no longer than 18 months.  There is no minimum requirement for match funding - you can contribute whatever you can either in cash or in-kind.

‘Heritage’ includes :

• Countryside, historic parks and gardens
• Wildlife sites and habitats
• Cultural and local traditions
• Objects and places linked to our industrial, maritime and transport history
• Historic buildings, museum & gallery collections

Successful applicants have been imaginative in choosing themes and activities, for example workshops on heritage crafts, natural history topics and archaeology and heritage activities including historical research and oral history interviews,

Discuss your project with the Development Team:  tel.  0131 240 1585; email at Scotland@hlf.org.uk.

GERALD MICKLEM CHARITABLE TRUST
This Trust includes grants to environmental/wildlife projects, as well as the arts, education/schools, and the general community,

Grants are normally in the region of £1,000 to £3,000 and can be recurring or one-off, and for revenue or capital purposes. The Trustees usually meet once only to decide on grants in January or February. Applications may be sent at any time, but preferably not later than the end of November:
ghmicklem.charitabletrust@btinternet.com www.peter.shone.btinternet.co.uk/GHMCT1.htm