Grants for the Planting of Trees, Hedges & Orchards (UK)
Schools, community groups, parish and town councils, and tree warden networks within the UK can apply for grants of up to £2,500 to work with communities and young people in planting and caring for trees, hedges, and orchards. The funding made available through the Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund will cover the costs of trees, hedges, and orchards, as well as the reasonable costs of non-plastic protection and supports, including peat-free compost and/or soil improvers. The closing date for applications is midnight on the 14th November 2025.
Grants of up to £150,000 Available to Protect Water and Land Environments
UK charities and non-profit organisations working to protect, restore, or sustainably manage the natural world are eligible to apply for grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 per year, for up to three years from the John Ellerman Foundation's People and Planet funding scheme.
Launched to promote a healthier environment for both people and nature the Foundation awards funding under two main headings:
- The Ocean – protection, restoration and sustainable use of the ocean, through more and effectively and equitably managed protected areas; ocean recovery; engaging coastal communities; reducing overfishing and addressing other harmful effects of human activity on, and in the ocean, such as pollution.
- Land and fresh waters– building healthier ecosystems in urban or rural environments, through effective and sustainable management including implementing evidence-based interventions conservation and restoration; connecting fragmented habitats; and landscape-scale work to protect and restore places of special significance. The Foundation will also support work to reduce or prevent the damaging impacts of human activities, particularly climate change, and air, land and water pollution from chemicals and other pollutants.
The focus is on the UK and UK waters. However, the Foundation are also keen to support land and marine-based work in the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs). For work in the UKOTs, the Foundation welcome applications from UK charities working in partnership with local Territory-based NGOs and from charities based in the UKOTs. UKOTs-based charities can apply either directly or through a charity in the UK.
Applications are particularly encouraged from organisations that:
- Recognise the link between healthy ecosystems and human well-being.
- Integrate the needs of local communities into their environmental solutions.
- Collaborate with other stakeholders and take an evidence-based approach.
There are no deadlines and applications can be submitted at any time
There are, however, three main stages to the assessment process:
- Eligibility Check
- Review of First Stage Application
- Review of Second Stage Application.
Useful Links:
Grants of £100,000 to Use the Arts to Raise Aweareness of Climate Change (UK)
Two grants of £100,000 each are available to UK registered charities to use the Arts to raise awareness of climate change and engage communities on environmental issues. The ScottishPower Foundation has launched the Art for Climate Fund to harness creative practice in response to sector austerity and the urgent need for community engagement. Each award, payable over two years, supports activities such as exhibitions, installations, performances and workshops that build knowledge and capacity for climate action through evidence-based action, promote sustainable development and foster appreciation of nature. Applications open on 30 June and close on 18 July 2025.
Funding for Community Energy Projects
Community energy groups across the UK are invited to register their interest for funding to support projects that deliver positive social and environmental outcomes within local communities.
Funded by Younity in partnership with Your Co-op Energy, the Powering Communities Fund aims to help groups and organisations deliver social impact projects, such as creating community resources, running events for young people, or starting a community garden.
Grants of up to £3,750 can be used to cover the costs of:
- equipment
- local events or workshops
- staff costs
- volunteer training
- additional activities to expand an existing project
- support for an organisation to achieve a quality or other standard, relevant to their activities
- developing a local service or venue
To be eligible, organisations must have a current or upcoming Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Younity or have utilised their Kickstart Loan facility.
Useful Links:
Funding Available to Retrofit Buildings with Energy-Generating or Saving Technologies (England)
Community businesses can apply for financial support ranging from £10,000 to £150,000 to help stabilise or reduce energy costs, supporting the transition to more sustainable energy practices. The funding, made available through the Power to Change Energy Resilience Fund, can be used for various projects, including retrofitting buildings with energy-generating or saving technologies. Up to 40% of the total funding can be provided as a grant, with additional energy audit grants available between £500 and £2,500. The grant is available to community businesses in England that own a building or have a long-term lease of 12 years or more. The programme is funded by Power to Change and delivered by the Key Fund. To find out more please contact Sarah Dennis on 07889 881459 or email Sarah.Dennis@thekeyfund.co.uk
Grants of up to £40,000 Available for Tree Planting Projects Outside of Woodlands (England)
Local authorities and registered charities in England can apply for grants ranging from £10,000 to £40,000 to fund projects that expand tree canopy cover outside woodlands. The Trees Outside Woodland Fund, managed by The Tree Council in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, supports initiatives such as urban tree planting to improve air quality, creating tree-lined avenues to enhance public spaces, and establishing community orchards for local food production and community engagement14. These efforts aim to boost green spaces, biodiversity, and community well-being. The application process is two-stage: first, submit an expression of interest (accepted until 31 October 2025 or until funding is allocated), followed by a full application for shortlisted projects.