The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is now open for the second round of applications from environmental charities and their partners. Funding comes from Defra and its arm's length bodies, and is distributed and monitored by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

It is designed to support:

• Nature conservation and restoration (including species recovery), such as creation and restoration of blue and green spaces, and increasing the diversity and population of insect pollinator species. 
• Nature-based solutions (particularly around climate change), such as tree planting, woodland restoration and management, permanent grassland, and natural flood management.
• Work connecting people with nature, such as helping underrepresented groups to access nature, boosting physical and mental wellbeing through nature, and employing educators, rangers and wardens. 

A successful first round of funding saw £40 million awarded to environmental causes. 

There are two levels of grants available: 

• £50,000-250,000 - the deadline for applications is 12pm (midday) on Wednesday 14 April 2021.
• £250,000-2 million - the deadline for Expressions of Interest is 12pm (midday) on 22 March 2021. For this category, you must contribute at least 5% of your project costs in cash (partnership funding). 

Partnership applications must include at least one environmental charity partner. Eligible organisations can be partners in multiple projects if they can demonstrate the capacity and ability to deliver this work in the timeframe required. 

For more information and guidelines, click here.