North East Derbyshire District Council

Community Action Grants, CAG Tree Planting and Eco Schools Grants

Small grants from North East Derbyshire District Council: Community Action Grants of up to £500 for community groups tackling local issues in the district, an extension of up to £500 for tree planting on publicly accessible land, and Eco Schools Grants of up to £250 for school climate projects. Non-constituted groups can apply if sponsored by a constituted group or a town or parish council. Applications are accepted at any time while funds last, with an outcome within 20 working days.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £500; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Light; short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

Community groups operating in North East Derbyshire that are formally constituted (signed governing document, a managing committee that meets regularly, elected office bearers, and a bank account with at least two unrelated signatories) and not-for-profit, or non-constituted groups sponsored by a constituted group or a town or parish council that meets these tests
Any infant, primary, junior or secondary school in North East Derbyshire District can apply for an Eco Schools Grant; schools and parish councils can also apply for tree planting
Any match funding and permissions (e.g. from the land or building owner) must already be in place; tree planting needs evidence of landowner permission and any planning permission
Each group, school or parish or town council can submit one application per financial year
The scheme is not open to businesses

What it funds

Community Action Grants: projects supporting residents to tackle local issues that support the Council Plan 2023-2027, e.g. physical and social activity; local community improvements; reducing social isolation; reduce carbon emissions and pollution; energy efficiency; recycling and litter; increase biodiversity; supporting development of groups and local volunteers; community safety
CAG Tree Planting: planting native broadleaves and conifers (including Oak, Hornbeam, Poplar, Aspen, Birch and Scots Pine) on publicly accessible land anywhere in the district, including site preparation or tree care items for trees from the Woodland Trust's free trees scheme
Eco Schools Grants (up to £250): school projects which empower young people to make a positive impact against Climate Change, such as events, equipment and materials, small building and environmental works and specialist training courses

What it will not fund

Core running costs (e.g., member subscriptions, room hire, insurance, building maintenance, group outings etc.)
Equipment which has already been purchased
Direct grants to individuals (e.g. training/coaching qualifications, gifts, prizes, transport, etc)
Activities of a political or exclusively religious nature
The direct recruitment of permanent staff
Projects which duplicate or replace statutory activity
Litter picks organised by schools
Planting fruit trees
Businesses

How to apply

Read the CAG guidance on the council's page
Complete the online application on the council's website: what the grant will pay for (with a detailed cost breakdown), evidence of need, expected benefits and which council priorities it supports, how you will measure success, start and end dates, and for tree planting the species and numbers and how they will be cared for
You receive an automatic reference number confirming submission
The council notifies you of the outcome within 20 working days
If successful, agree to the grant conditions; payment is made by bank transfer (sponsors of non-constituted groups are asked to confirm agreement first)
Spend within 12 months and complete a simple monitoring report with photographs

If you have no internet access, request a postal form on 01246 217606.

Have ready

Detailed cost breakdown of what the grant will pay for
Evidence of landowner permission and any planning permission (tree planting)
Confirmation that a safeguarding policy and/or DBS checks are in place, if working with children or vulnerable people

A signed copy of the constitution or governing document must be provided if requested; receipted invoices may be requested after purchase.

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