Organisations and community groups in Scotland and across the UK are invited to apply for funding of £1,000 to £4,000 from Grow Wild so that they can then create inspiring spaces.
Supported by the Big Lottery Fund and led by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Grow Wild motivates communities, friends, neighbours and individuals to come together to transform local spaces by sowing, growing and enjoying UK native wild flowers.
Over the next year, Grow Wild has more than £200,000 to award to not-for-profit groups who put forward creative ideas that revamp communal spaces.
Grow Wild is looking for projects that use native wild flowers and plants innovatively to bring colour and wildlife to their local area. They should offer volunteering opportunities to young people aged 12-25 and also to over 25s. Projects should also think creatively about sharing stories, photos and activities from their spaces.
Over 2014-15, Grow Wild has built a network of over 150 projects including; the reimagining of a train station entrance an interactive tour of planted spaces, a sensory garden for people with disabilities; as well as projects involving streetscapes, woodlands, housing estates and murals.
Applications for 2016 funding must be received by 1 December 2015. A panel of experts will then help decide who will receive funding. Successful groups will be notified in February 2016 ready to start their project in March and finish by October 2016.
Philip Turvil, Programme Manager at Grow Wild, said: “We want to hear from voluntary, community and youth groups who would like Grow Wild to help them realise a vision of transforming their local area as part of a network of people who are bringing colour and wildlife to their community’s shared spaces.”
Claire Bennett, Grow Wild Scotland Partnership Manager, at Grow Wild: “A community project can be anything that ignites the interest of the community with activities that show UK native plants at their best. It’s not just about what you sow, but how you sow. We want groups to think creatively with events, art, music and more.”
Claire added: “The application form is simple and there’s lots of support available from the Grow Wild team. Our funded projects also receive expert guidance and a web profile to share their achievements and link with similar groups.”
Emma Whitfield Communications Manager at Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said: “Grow Wild is all about connecting people with nature, with the places where they live and bringing different generations and communities together in a creative and lasting way.”
For more information on joining the Grow Wild community project network by 1 December 2015, visit growwilduk.com/get-funding to arrange a discussion with the team.
Grow Wild is also creating flagship sites in each UK country, funding 50 youth-led projects and sharing thousands of free seed kits and packets of seeds.
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