Caring for the Cotswolds
Grants for non-profit community projects that reduce resource use or help the Cotswolds adapt to climate change.
Αυτή η ευκαιρία είναι προς το παρόν διαθέσιμη στα Αγγλικά.
The Climate theme can support natural flood management, rain gardens, water butts, living roofs, shade and local tree planting. It also covers projects that reduce energy, waste or water use, including repair cafes, shared libraries of things, community food growing and walking or cycling initiatives. Climate projects can take place in playgrounds, village greens and urban green spaces. The programme also has Nature and Communities themes; choose one main theme for your application.
The standard grant range is £500–£5,000. Higher awards are possible at the funder's discretion in exceptional circumstances. You must contribute cash from your own funds and/or other funders: the grant cannot cover all project costs. The scheme seeks value for money and projects for which it is the main funder. Include VAT only if you cannot reclaim it.
Payments are made against invoices, normally 50% after you accept the award conditions and 50% after satisfactory completion and reporting. The funder may exceptionally agree to 100% upfront, but reporting remains compulsory. You must accept the award letter's project-specific conditions and the scheme's general terms; their duration depends on your project's core activities. Site inspections may take place before approval, payment or at completion.
Before the final payment, submit the updated workbook's Activity, Evidence and Budget Tables, evidence of delivered outputs and actual expenditure, including receipted invoices. An interim activity/evidence report may also be required depending on project scope and timing. Email the reports, invoices and electronic outputs to Rebecca Foster. Acknowledge Cotswolds National Landscape and The National Lottery Heritage Fund in project publicity, and be prepared to provide public project descriptions, text and images when requested.
Eligibility
- Non-profit organisations can apply, including charities, community interest companies, established community groups, unincorporated associations, parish councils and town councils. You need a governing document and a bank account in your organisation's name. Charities must be registered in England or Wales; individuals and profit-making businesses cannot apply.
- Your project must benefit the public and normally be within the Cotswolds National Landscape. Projects just outside may be considered if they demonstrate a positive impact on it. Explain how people can access the benefits physically and/or online. You must guarantee completion before 31 March 2028; projects ready to deliver quickly are preferred.
- For works to land, buildings or heritage assets, explain your ownership, lease or management role. Identify an owner other than your organisation and provide proof of ownership. Declare necessary legal permissions, such as planning permission or landowner agreement, and supply copies before funds can be released. For nature or capital works and digital outputs, explain how assets will be maintained and funded after the grant; solely activity-based projects do not need this maintenance explanation.
- Exclusions include political parties, lobbying or campaigning; religious promotion or places of worship; statutory duties or replacing statutory funding cuts; poor-value projects; work already undertaken or work that would happen anyway; sponsorship, student grants or bursaries; generic fundraising appeals; overseas activities; endowment appeals; onward grants; acquiring land, buildings or heritage items; large restoration works; survey, planning or feasibility fees; public toilets, car parks or drystone walls; solar panels or air-source heat pumps; second-hand vehicles; and fittings such as electrical appliances or furniture.
Awards are competitive. Alongside project quality and outcomes, the panel considers spread across the three themes, the area and different kinds of organisation.
How to apply
- Κατάσταση
- Ανοιχτό συνεχώς
- Όροι του κύκλου αιτήσεων
- Projects must have a guaranteed completion date before 31 March 2028.
- Panel cutoffs: 10 January, 11 April and 30 May 2027. Applications are welcomed year-round; capacity overflow carries over to the next panel.
Read the guidance and submit the online application form linked here. Complete and upload the Excel project workbook's Activity and Budget Tables, including milestones, expected results, costs based as precisely as possible on quotations, and other funding requested or received. Keep the workbook for later reporting.
Upload recent accounts and your governing document; public sector organisations are exempt from uploading the governing document. If recent accounts are unavailable, contact the funder directly. For partnerships, identify each partner's role and provide letters of support. Include applicable ownership evidence and permissions already obtained.
Applications are accepted throughout the year. The next panel cutoff is 10 January 2027, followed by 11 April and 30 May 2027. Reviews are first come, first served; applications arriving after a panel reaches capacity carry over to the next panel. Decisions usually arrive within eight weeks of the cutoff.
Senior management must approve the application, and you must be authorised to submit it. Misleading statements can invalidate the application and lead to money being returned. Submitted information may be made public and used to promote the scheme.
For a project discussion or application enquiry, contact Grants Coordinator Rebecca Foster at rebecca.foster@cotswolds-nl.org.uk.