Page last updated: 8 July 2024.

The Project Enquiry is a mandatory step before proceeding to a full Nature Networks (round 4) application.

We will use the information you provide to decide whether or not to invite you to submit a full application. An invitation to apply does not guarantee a grant from us in the future, but does indicate that we see potential in your initial proposals.

You must submit your Project Enquiry by 12 noon on 22 July 2024.

Before submitting

• Please refer to the programme’s application guidance

Project Enquiry questions

You can see the Project Enquiry questions here.

Have you spoken to anyone at the Heritage Fund about your idea?

If so, tell us their name. Tell us also if you have spoken to anyone in Natural Resources Wales about your project.

What is the need for this project?

What is the need for this project in supporting the aims of the Nature Networks programme? Is there are particular risk to the site(s)?

Tell us about any research you have done with your audience. You have 200 words.

Describe what you will do during the project.

Include any tasks you have to do to achieve the project goal. For example, describe what specific actions you will undertake to improve the management of habitats/ species.

You have 200 words.

Do you have a title for the project?

You must include the prefix #NNF4 in your project title.

For example, #NNF4 Dragonfly nature reserve improvements

If invited to submit a full application you can change your title.

Tell us about the heritage of the project.

Tell us:

• Where will the work take place?
• What habitats/species will you work to improve?

For this programme, heritage refers to the protected sites network. You should explain how your project links with the network (for example, specific site names and/or people/organisations who manage them) and why it is important (for both biodiversity/wildlife and people).

You have 100 words.

Please outline how your project will respond to our four investment principles.

The Nature Networks Fund aligns with all of our investment principles, but the strength of focus, and emphasis on each principle, will be for you to decide and demonstrate.

Saving heritage: Explain how your project will improve the condition of the protected sites network, even if this will be in the future.

Protecting the environment: Explain how your project will restore connectivity, and how the actions you will take will mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Inclusion, access and participation: How will communities or audiences be actively involved in and around the protected sites? Will there be any accessibility improvements?

Organisational sustainability: How will your organisation develop and sustain skills and capacity to ensure a long-term future for protected sites?

You have 300 words.

Who will be involved in the project?

Tell us about who will run the project, any partnerships and if people will volunteer on the project. You have 100 words.

How long do you think the project will take?

Tell us an estimated start and end date. Note that projects must conclude by 31 March 2028, including evaluation and reporting. 

You have 50 words.

How much is the project likely to cost?

If you know, tell us about the most important costs, split into capital and revenue costs. These costs can be estimated.

You have 200 words.

How much funding are you planning to apply for from us?

£[enter amount]

How to submit

When you are ready, please complete the questions on our online service by 12 noon on 22 July 2024.

Before submitting, you will need to register an account for yourself and for the organisation you are applying for.

Hearing back from us

Once you have submitted an enquiry we will contact you in August to let you know the outcome. If your enquiry is successful you will be invited to make a full application by the deadline of 1 October 2024.

Guidance updates

We will regularly review this guidance and respond to user feedback. We reserve the right to make changes as required. We will communicate any changes as quickly as possible via this webpage.