Communities across Britain are able to apply for up to £12,000 for local green space projects thanks to a new grant scheme being launched with the proceeds generated from the sale of Tesco carrier bags. It will fund capital projects that provide community benefit and have free and open access to all members of the community for a minimum of six days a week, during daylight hours.
The scheme, which is managed by environmental charity Groundwork, is open to organisations such as: voluntary/community organisations, registered charities, health bodies, Parish/Town councils, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies, community councils, local authorities and housing organisations. Other not-for-profit organisations might also be eligible.
Projects that would typically receive funding include:
• Parks, pocket parks and urban green spaces
• Green corridors – river and canals, cycle ways
• Formal and informal play areas
• Open access sports facilities within public parks and recreation grounds – e.g. football pitches, tennis courts and cricket pitches
• Informal outdoor recreation facilities; e.g. gym equipment, trim trails and woodland walks
• Nature reserves, community woodland, ponds and village greens
• Churchyards
• Seafront improvements
• Community allotments, community gardens, orchards and city farms
Groundwork will assess all of the applications received and then provide a shortlist of the applications received for a Tesco regional panel to agree three successful projects to forward to a vote in Tesco stores.
Tesco customers will vote over two weekends in their store for their favourite shortlisted local project. Grants will then be awarded as follows:
• 1st place in Tesco customer vote: £12,000 grant
• 2nd place in Tesco customer vote: £10,000 grant
• 3rd place in Tesco customer vote: £8,000 grant
For further information and to apply, visit: www.groundwork.org.uk/Sites/tescocommunityscheme/Pages/large-grants-tes
Deadline: Friday 27 November 2015