We believe that this is an annual grants programme with a deadline in October each year.
Grants of between £1,500 and £5,000 (although the majority are for under £2,000) are available for community gardening projects in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The grants can be used for the creation of a community garden or a community park or allotment with a horticultural focus for the benefit of the local community. While matched funding is not a specific requirement, applicants will be expected to state whether they have sought and secured funding from other sources towards their project.
Projects should aim to bring a community together by creating a space people can be part of by the acquisition and sharing of gardening knowledge and skills and by inspiring a love of gardening.
Applications must relate to an existing or proposed community garden or similar site. There must be no query over access to the space (such as restrictions imposed by ownership by another body).
Amateur gardeners in community groups in England, Wales and Northern Ireland may apply for a grant. Applicants must be a fully set up community group or Community Interest Company (CIC) with a functioning non-personal bank account.
Grants can be used for such items as (please note this is not an exclusive list):
- Equipment hire
- Plants and shrubs
- Pots and containers
- Seating/benches
- Tools
- Trees
Applicants are required to check their eligibility against Eligibility Checklist on the National Garden Scheme website. If eligible, a link to the application form will be sent by email.
Successful applicants are expected to be notified in April of the following year. Please note that only the first 300 applications will be accepted. Early application is therefore advised.
Further information and guidance is available on the National Garden Scheme website.