GrantRadar

Hertfordshire County Council (Countryside Management Service)

Hertfordshire Environmental Improvement Grants

Hertfordshire County Council's Environmental Improvement Grant scheme gives up to £3,000 per project, usually at 50% of agreed costs, for nature and tree projects in Hertfordshire. It is open to community-based organisations and to private landowners or land managers, and projects must support the council's targets of enhancing nature by 20% by 2050 or establishing 1.8 million trees including 100km of hedgerows by 2030. The Countryside Management Service also offers advice and design support, and work must be finished by 31 March of the financial year of award.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £3,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Light
short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

  • Community-based organisations and private landowners or land managers in Hertfordshire
  • The council's 2024 press release also names parish and town councils
  • Grants usually cover 50% of agreed costs, so applicants need to fund the rest
  • No income limit or registration requirement is published

What it funds

Projects that contribute to enhancing nature by 20% by 2050 or establishing 1.8 million trees, including 100km of hedgerows, by 2030. Eligible project types:

  • Ecological improvement to enhance biodiversity (such as wildflower meadow restoration or management of trees and woodland)
  • Tree planting in areas smaller than one hectare
  • Hedgerow creation or management, including new planting, laying and coppicing
  • Water bodies and wetlands, such as creating or restoring ponds, wetlands or reedbeds

Fundable costs include tools, equipment and materials in support of community activity; seeds, shrubs and trees; contractors; and hire and transport of plant or equipment.

Grants are usually paid at 50% of agreed costs, up to £3,000 per project.

What it will not fund

  • Projects that require planning conditions to be met
  • Projects that have a statutory duty or other legal/contractual obligations
  • Projects not appropriate to the ecology, landscape and archaeology of the area

Tree planting over one hectare should go to the England Woodland Creation Offer instead; all funded work must be completed by 31 March in the financial year of award

How to apply

  1. Contact the Countryside Management Service (cms@hertfordshire.gov.uk, 01992 588433) to discuss your project and its eligibility
  2. Complete the Hertfordshire Environmental Improvement Grants application form (https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/media-library/documents/countryside/hertfordshire-environmental-improvement-grants-application-form.docx), outlining the project, its location and clearly defined, measurable outcomes, with itemised costs and other funding sources
  3. Your application is acknowledged and considered, and you receive a written response confirming or declining a grant offer
  4. If offered, sign the grant agreement before starting work; a case officer is assigned to guide you
  5. Complete the work by 31 March in the financial year of award; it is reviewed and confirmed complete before payment

Have ready

  • Application form (project description, itemised costs, VAT status, grant requested)
  • Site plan

The form has a 'Plan attached?' box, and the council records site visits and completion photographs before payment

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Hertfordshire Environmental Improvement Grants — Hertfordshire County Council (Countryside Management Service) — GrantRadar