Communities can bid for a share of a new £1 million fund set up to support green schemes that connect local people to nature and bolster the region’s resilience to climate change.

The Community Environment Fund - part of the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund - significantly widens the scope of funding the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is making available for environmental projects.

The money will pay for more locally led schemes that improve access to nature and is now being extended to include projects that reduce waste and help make communities more resilient and prepared for the impacts of climate change.

Community groups and regional organisations can bid for small grants of up to £25,000 and large grants of up to £100,000.

Approximately 30 small grants of up to £25,000 and 5 large grants of up to £100,000 will be awarded for projects under the following project themes:

Approximately 30 small grants of up to £25,000 and 5 large grants of up to £100,000 will be awarded for projects under the following project themes:

• Natural environment – to protect, restore and enhance nature and wildlife.​
• Access to green and blue space – to provide better access to and community use of green and blue space for health and wellbeing – similar to the recent Community Green Grants programme.​
• Climate adaptation – to make communities more resilient and prepared for the impacts of climate change
• Circular economy – to reduce waste and keep resources and materials in use for as long as possible​.
• Environment awareness – to improve knowledge of environment issues and support behaviour change.

Key dates:

• Large projects up to £100,000 must be delivered by 31 December 2024. It is unlikely that applications for large projects will be accepted after June 2024 due to delivery timescales.
• Small projects up to £25,000 must be delivered by February 2025. It is unlikely that applications for small projects will be accepted after October 2024.

For more information visit the Heart of England Community Fund website.Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said:

“It is truly inspiring to see the depth of commitment shown by local people in communities right across our region who share my determination to protect and improve our wonderful and valuable natural environment.

“This vital work - often done on a voluntary basis - enables people to spend time in nature to the benefit of our collective health and wellbeing at the same time as helping us to tackle the climate emergency.

“This new Commonwealth Games legacy funding - in addition to money already made available through our successful Community Green Grants programme - means we can plant more trees, revive more rivers, enhance access to green space, restore wildlife habitats, develop the circular economy and raise awareness about the importance of nature more generally.

“I look forward to visiting local beneficiaries of this new funding and cannot wait to see lives changed for the better as a result in the months and years ahead.”

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew added: “Last year, Birmingham showcased itself to the world with a record-breaking Commonwealth Games.

“Millions of pounds were pumped into the local economy as a result, and we continue to invest in the region with a further £70 million underspend boosting jobs and skills in the West Midlands.

“This innovative £1 million Community Environment Fund will provide further benefits to local people. I encourage any interested organisations to submit an application to receive a share of this investment.”