Environment Fund

The Environment Fund supports charitable and community activities that improve local biodiversity or have a positive impact on the environment for local people.


About the Environment Fund

To receive funding, projects must demonstrate one or more of the following outcomes:

  • involve communities in environmental activities that benefit their local area
  • restore, maintain or enhance the local natural environment
  • engage people in supporting the local natural environment.

Priority will be given to projects that:

  • reduce water usage
  • improve environmental sustainability*
  • improve local biodiversity.

*including activities aimed at reducing waste, recycling, using reusable alternatives, and saving energy and water.

The main focus of this programme is to achieve positive outcomes for the environment through activities that have a direct environmental impact.

If your activity is primarily for people, such as mental health and wellbeing, then it would be more appropriate to apply to the Community Fund, which opens in the autumn.

What can our grants be used for?

You can apply for a grant to help cover core costs and/or project costs, which will help you to make improvements to the local environment. This includes the cost of equipment, salaries and overheads.

Please refer to our guidance for environmental projects to find out what you should check when working near protected sites or species.

Who can apply?

The fund is open to voluntary and community groups with charitable aims, registered charities and community interest companies with an average annual income of less than £500,000 for the last three years.

Schools and parish councils may also apply if they can demonstrate a community benefit. Groups and organisations must be based and operate within the Wessex Water region.

This fund is targeted at organisations where a small amount of money can make a significant difference, so we will consider your access to other sources of funding when deciding which groups will receive support.

How much can you apply for?

You can apply for a grant of up to £2,000 towards your project or activity, covering a period of up to 12 months.

What we don’t fund

  • Water refill points
  • General landscaping and planting
  • Applications from individuals
  • National organisations (independent branches can apply)
  • Animal welfare (except activities that directly relate to improving local biodiversity)
  • One-off events

For a full list of exclusions that apply, please check the application criteria on the relevant community foundation webpage.

How to apply

Applications for this year's Environment Fund have now closed.

Funding panels will be held from late June to early July and applicants will be contacted shortly afterwards.

Guidance for environmental projects

Please follow our guidance to help protect the environment and wildlife when carrying out your project.