National Lottery Awards for All England – Environment 

 

• Project location: England
• Amount: £300 to £20,000
• A decision in: 16 weeks
• Programme status: Open to applications

 

The climate and nature emergency affects us all, but local action can make a real difference. We fund community-led projects that improve the environment and help people connect with and enjoy nature where they live.

We fund projects that meet one of the following priorities:

• help people connect with and care for nature in their area
• make a positive difference to the environment

You can use the funding to:

• start a new activity or continue an existing one
• help your organisation adapt to new challenges
• run one-off events that have a clear environmental benefit

You cannot apply if you already have an Awards for All grant.

If you're looking for more general funding for community projects, go to the National Lottery Awards for All England page.

Who Can Apply

ou can apply if your organisation is a:

• constituted voluntary or community organisation
• constituted group or club
• registered charity
• charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
• not-for-profit company
• community interest company (CIC)
• school, if the project helps the local community, not just the school
• statutory body (including local authorities, town, parish, and community councils)
• community benefit society

Requirements for board or committee members

You must have at least two directors who are not related.

We consider people related if they:

• are married or in a civil partnership
• are in a long-term relationship or living together
• are part of the same family

Schools and organisations working with a school

We can fund schools or organisations working with schools if your project clearly benefits the wider community, not just pupils, teachers, or parents.

We’re looking to fund projects that:

• bring the local community and school together
• use school spaces or resources for community activities outside of school hours
• help people in the wider community connect, learn, or take part in something meaningful

Projects must go beyond the school’s usual responsibilities. For example, we can’t fund things like:

• curriculum-based activities or anything that should happen during the school day
• improvements to school buildings, outdoor areas, or equipment
• training for school staff or education-focused support
• school trips, after-school clubs, or alternative learning environments

If you’re unsure whether your idea is eligible, check with us before you apply. Contact us.

Political activity and campaigning

We can fund some political activity and campaigning. But only if:

• the activity is not party political. This means that it must be about policy, practice, or legislation rather than opposing or supporting a political party
• the activity is meant to help the cause of your organisation and benefit the public or society

We will not fund projects where political activities are the main purpose. But we can fund projects that are mainly about campaigning.

Sports, arts, or heritage projects

We fund projects that strengthen communities and create positive change.

Projects based on sports, arts, or heritage are eligible if they do more than provide the activity. For example, an online dance group for young people that also reduces loneliness or supports mental hea

How to Apply

You can apply using our online form

You can save your work as you fill it in. This lets you come back later if you need to.

When completing ‘Extra details about your project’, select ‘My project supports communities to be environmentally sustainable’ as the category of your project.

If you need help with your application

If you cannot complete the online form, we can offer different ways to tell us about your project. These include:

• an Easy Read version of the application form and guidance
• a PDF version of the application form
• sharing a video describing your project idea, rather than describing it in words
• a British Sign Language (BSL) version of the application form and guidance

If you need communication support, contact us.

What happens after you apply

1. We will review your application and respond within 16 weeks.
2. We might contact you to discuss your project or ask for more details.
3. If successful, we will email you and deposit the funding into your account within 14 days. You can start your project as soon as you receive our email.
4. We may check in to see how your project is progressing.
5. Share your story. Let your community know about your grant and how it’s benefiting them. Your award email will explain how to publicise your grant and support your community. Learn more about promoting your project.