Funding Biodiversity: Grants and Opportunities for Parish, Town and Community Councils

Laura
Nov 4
3 min read

Introduction

Finding funding is often the biggest hurdle for local biodiversity projects. The good news is that parish, town and community councils in England and Wales are eligible for a number of small and mid-scale grants, and there are larger Welsh programmes designed to accelerate nature recovery. Below is a practical overview of where funding is available now, what it can cover, and how Green Council Biodiversity Solutions can support you to prepare credible, deliverable proposals.

Biodiversity funding for councils - Key grants:

1) National Lottery Community Fund: Awards for All

Amount: £300 to £20,000
Who can apply: includes statutory bodies such as local authorities and parish, town and community councils.
Use cases: small capital and revenue projects that connect people with nature, improve local places and support community activity. Examples include habitat planting, small pond works, volunteer equipment, signage, community events and light-touch monitoring.
Tip: Keep delivery simple and community-led, show clear benefits for local residents, and avoid heavy consultancy budgets within this small grant.

2) National Lottery Heritage Fund: Nature Towns & Cities and Heritage Grants

Nature Towns & Cities currently offers expert support around planning, engagement and green finance. It does not fund capital works directly. For capital improvements to parks, habitats and historic green spaces councils should apply via Heritage Grants.
Eligible projects: improving access to nature, heritage and environmental benefit, capacity building and partnerships.
Tip: If referencing Nature Towns & Cities, position it as an advisory route alongside a capital bid.

3) Nature Networks Fund: Wales

Amount: £50,000 to £1,000,000
Focus: improving resilience of the protected sites network in Wales, capacity building and community engagement. Community and town councils can be strong partners or applicants where projects strengthen local ecological networks.
Tip: Show how your sites connect to designated features or ecological corridors, and set out monitoring that will inform future reporting under Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act.

4) Landfill Communities Fund programmes

Organisations such as the Veolia Environmental Trust and SUEZ Communities Trust provide grants to enhance natural habitats and green spaces.
Eligibility: includes parish and town councils and local authorities in eligible postcode areas, where public access and environmental benefit can be demonstrated.
Typical amounts: often in the £10,000-£75,000 band for environmental works.
Tip: Use the postcode checkers, design for public benefit and long-term stewardship, and be ready to evidence community involvement.

community allotment with plants growing in plant beds

How Green Council Biodiversity Solutions can support your bid

We can assist with feasibility assessments and site-surveys, to build a credible ecological baseline for your funding application.
We can provide design options and specifications, aligned with funder criteria and local habitat priorities.
We can help draft application narratives that reflect biodiversity duty, community benefit and project legacy.
We can support monitoring frameworks and long-term support planning to strengthen funder confidence. We do not guarantee that any application will be approved, but we work to increase the quality and deliverability of your submission.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If your council is exploring ways to fund biodiversity improvements - whether you are planning a pond restoration, a new community green space or developing a Biodiversity Action Plan - Green Council Biodiversity Solutions can help.

Our team supports councils through every stage of the process, from ecological assessments and feasibility surveys to habitat design, procurement and on-site supervision. We can also help ensure your plans align with Section 6 duties in Wales or biodiversity responsibilities in England.

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you prepare a clear, achievable and fundable project that delivers lasting benefits for nature and your local community.