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Local organisations can apply for funding for countryside projects
Applications open!
We run a grant scheme aimed at local organisations who are looking to run and develop countryside projects that align with our corporate priorities. Small, medium and large grants are available up to the value of £10,000.
Annually there are eight grants available:
Grants cannot support the following:
All projects must be within the our district boundary and meet Hart District Council policy standards in relation to areas such as health and safety, safeguarding and sustainability.
Organisations within the district boundary which can apply include:
Applications will not be accepted from:
Once the application has met the eligibility requirements, each application will be assessed against the following criteria:
Criteria | Percentage |
---|---|
Biodiversity enhancements / health and wellbeing benefits (dependent on aim of project) | 20 |
Value for money | 30 |
Educational benefit | 10 |
Method | 30 |
Sustainability | 10 |
Biodiversity enhancements: is the environment left in a naturally better state than it was before? How will local wildlife and habitats benefit from the project?
Health and wellbeing: how will your project improve the health and wellbeing or quality of life of those affected by it?
Value for money: does the application include details on expenditure and are these realistic?
Educational benefit: how will the project improve educational awareness and reach as many people as possible?
Method: is the project plan clear and considered? Does it include detail on how each element of the project will be executed and who will be responsible for it.
Sustainable: how will the project be managed to maximise future benefits? Is the project carbon friendly? Have sustainable methods been implemented e.g. use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood.
Grant applications must detail the full project plan from initiation through to completion and include how the project will be managed into the future. If you are not sure how to achieve this, clearly outline where there may be areas of support needed from our countryside team; we are happy to help support you if we can.
Projects must be completed within eight months. If this is not possible, clear reasoning must be given within the application as to why this is not possible. Extensions can be granted on request.
Please read the community grant funding agreement to understand how the grant process is applied.
Send your applications to countryside@hart.gov.uk with the subject line 'Community grants application'.
The grants board will meet in December to score all applications against the criteria outlined above. The panel will include:
Applications which are successfully approved by the grants board will be passed to Hart's Section 151 officer for final sign-off. Feedback to successful and unsuccessful bidders will be provided. Unless stated otherwise, applications cannot be resubmitted until the next calendar year.
The finalists will go through to the senior leadership team which will select the winning projects.
In exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances, Hart District Council may withdraw grants or postpone the grant scheme. This will only happen in circumstances where an agreement has not yet been signed or a purchase order released.
Winners will be required to sign the community grant funding agreement.