This fund opens to applications during set period and awards funding to projects that most effectively address water related challenges.
The funding programme has been developed by the Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership (BACP) Steering Group and is administered by the Co-Hosts of the BACP (Wessex Water and Bristol Avon Rivers Trust). The purpose of the fund is to support the development and delivery of projects that will improve the water environment within the Bristol Avon Catchment. The catchment boundary can be viewed on the partnership webpage.
Applicants may include non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Rivers Trusts, Wildlife Trusts and academic institutions. Applications from individuals, community-led groups, local government, and not-for-profit organisations will be considered if it is demonstrated that they are working collaboratively to deliver the BACP Catchment Partnership Aims and Objectives.
The following grants are currently available:
Main Grants
This provides seed-funding to enable partnership projects to carry out vital scoping, feasibility and community engagement work. The usually provides match funding for larger projects. In previous years projects on average have been granted between £4,000 - £8,000.
Applicants may include non-governmental organisations such as; Rivers Trusts, Wildlife Trusts and academic institutions. Applications from private companies, individuals or government organisations would be accepted if it was demonstrated that they are working in partnership with NGOs or the third sector.
The funding could be used for things such as:
- Habitat creation/restoration
- Ancillary conservation works (eg fencing, support services for grazing)
- Land management actions to improve water quality
- Provision of land management advice
- Dissemination/communication of information
- To meet immediate research or monitoring needs
Community Grants
This is aimed at supporting smaller, community-led projects, providing up to £2,000. Applicants should be from a constituted community group or small charity. The funding could be used for a variety of things such as:
- Equipment for litter picking or habitat management
- Improved signage and accessibility to blue spaces
- Monitoring equipment to gather data on water quality or wildlife
Examples of successfully funded community projects can be found on their website.
For the latest round, applications must be submitted between Monday 7 September – Sunday 18 October at 23:59 to be considered at the next meeting.
The 2026 funding partners are:
- Bristol Water
- Bristol City Council
- Bath & North East Somerset Council
- South Gloucestershire Council
- Wiltshire Council