Natural Networks Programme

Natural Networks Programme

The Natural Networks Programme is a Worcestershire-wide scheme offering grants and advice to projects which aim to create or restore wildlife-rich habitats.

Funded by UK Government and Natural Networks

The Natural Networks Programme is a Worcestershire-wide scheme offering grants and advice to projects which aim to create or restore wildlife-rich habitats.

The Natural Networks programme is a partnership between Worcestershire County Council and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

The programme offers free professional Biodiversity surveys carried out by our partners the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust who will assess your project site and make recommendations on how to create or enhance your land to maximise habitats for wildlife.

Grants of £1,000 - £5,000 are available (up to 70% of the total project cost will be available to help you carry out the recommendations suggested in the survey).

  • Private sector organisations will be expected to match fund at least 50% of the project
  • Public or voluntary sector organisations will be expected to match fund at least 30% of the project

The programme aim is to create a natural network of wildlife-rich habitats across Worcestershire that will enhance the quality of our blue and green infrastructure.

Please note funding is currently only available in Malvern Hills, Wychavon or Wyre Forest please email naturalnetworks@worcestershire.gov.uk to register your interest.

About the programme

A great start for the Natural Networks project

Natural Networks provides funds to all sorts of bodies

Natural Networks isn’t just about big spaces

Eligibility

  • project sites need to have free and ongoing public access or applicants must be willing to offer permissive access for the lifetime of the project
  • the site needs to be based in the districts of Wychavon, Malvern or Wyre Forest
  • the programme is aimed at small and medium businesses, parish councils, charities, voluntary groups and public bodies
  • you must be a recognised legal entity
  • grants are aimed at land or projects that are ineligible for the Countryside Stewardship award
  • project sites will be considered on land or water

How to apply?

  • applicants need to email naturalnetworks@worcestershire.gov.uk to request a link to the registration application portal
  • if the eligibility is passed Worcestershire Wildlife Trust will then visit your site(s) to carry out a Biodiversity Enhancement Assessment report (BEA)
  • the BEA will evaluate the existing biodiversity value and recommend ways to enhance it
  • if you are successful you will be invited to submit a full application to apply for up to 70% (50% for businesses) of your total project costs
  • your project will be presented to an appraisal panel, who will decide whether to award a Natural Networks grant to your project

For help with the application process, or to discuss your application, please contact naturalnetworks@worcestershire.gov.uk 

Clients we have supported

View the videos below to see how our previous Natural Networks Programme, part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund has supported organisations.

Churchill Brook, Redditch

Burlish Golf Course, Burlish

How is this project funded?

This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund,  Malvern Hills District Council, , Wychavon District Council and Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information visit, GOV.UK - UK Shared Prosperity Fund Prospectus.

Related content

Natural Networks Programme Privacy notice

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