The National Trust is inviting applications for activities and projects which help local communities access, enjoy and learn about, and/or look after, the nature and heritage of the eastern South Downs.
The Changing Chalk Community Grants Scheme supports grassroots community-led initiatives that will help to restore lost habitats, bring local histories to life, and provide new experiences in the outdoors. In partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the scheme aims to award a total of £150,000 to local initiatives during the lifetime of the Changing Chalk project.
Objectives
Projects must meet at least one of the Changing Chalk objectives:
Theme: Restoring Chalkland Biodiversity (Nature)
Support and work with landowners and farmers to enable sustainable management of chalk grassland.
Improve habitat and species richness and the connectivity of the rare chalk grassland.
Theme: Connecting Downs and Towns (People):
Inspire change in ideas and actions to encourage active participation in caring for the Downs, sustaining its long-term future.
Engage a wider range of people with the Downs to increase their wellbeing and connection with the landscape.
Theme: Hearts and Histories of the Downs (Heritage)
Engage communities as active participants in the discovery, interpretation and celebration of the cultural heritage of the Downs.
Funding Information
The scheme will award small grants of up to £5,000.
Applications for grants of up to £10,000 will be considered for habitat projects on priority chalk grassland sites under the Restoring Chalkland Biodiversity theme.
Activities
All projects must deliver activities which:
take place within the Changing Chalk project area
support delivery of at least one Changing Chalk objective under the Changing Chalk themes
deliver value for money
Activities must be aimed at people living within the Changing Chalk project area. They particularly encourage applications for projects which benefit and involve Changing Chalk target audiences (see below).
Target Audiences
They welcome projects which benefit and involve Changing Chalk target audiences:
People living in areas of socio-economic deprivation
NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training)
People living with a health need including mental health
Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
Eligibility Criteria
The following groups are eligible to apply:
Local community or voluntary groups and organisations
Registered charities and other non-profit making organisations eg. social enterprises/CIC
Schools, town councils and parish councils – if the project demonstrates wider community involvement and benefit
Private individual landowners – for eligible habitat projects only
Ineligible
They can’t fund:
Projects or activity outside the Changing Chalk project area
Activities aimed at participants living outside the project area
Projects or activity which have already started
Projects which generate private gain or profit making
Salaried staff costs (i.e. new or existing members of staff on your payroll)
Organisational overheads/running costs
Costs of making planning applications or other statutory permissions
Routine maintenance work
Carrying out statutory duties
Habitat works or other activity that is part of an agri-environment agreement
