The grant programmes, Local Places for Nature Capital Fund and the Nature Networks Fund, aim to restore habitats for endangered species and improve local green spaces for people in Wales’ deprived areas.

Communities and organisations can apply for grants of up to £250,000. Across the two programmes we have £9.8m to distribute on behalf of the Welsh Government in the next year.

Local Places for Nature Capital Fund

Apply for £10,000-£250,000 to improve urban nature spaces, develop community food-growing projects or help diverse ethnic communities engage with natural heritage.

Success stories

Need some inspiration? Previous Local Places for Nature grants include:

• Transport for Wales’ Green Routes project (awarded £100,000) worked with volunteers to increase biodiversity at 25 train stations and five community green spaces.
• Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council (awarded £50,000) transformed run-down urban playgrounds into a community orchard, a children’s eco play park, a sensory and mindfulness garden and community growing spaces.

Key dates

• attend a webinar for applicants on 11 October 2023, 2pm-3pm
• submit an optional project enquiry form by 20 October 2023
• applications close 12 December 2023
• decisions on applications made by end of February 2024

There will be further application rounds in 2024.

The Nature Networks Fund

Apply for £50,000-£250,000 to improve and stabilise Wales' protected land and coastal sites – from disappearing grasslands and peat bogs to freshwater and marine habitats under pressure from climate change.

Success stories

Need some inspiration? Projects that have received Nature Networks funding include:

• The Canal and River Trust's Luronium Futures project (awarded £357,800) improved the condition of a Welsh stretch of the Montgomery canal which is home to rare plants.
• ZSL (Zoological Society of London) and Bangor University (awarded £249,919) are restoring native oyster habitats in Conwy Bay to improve marine biodiversity and re-connect people with their coastal heritage.

Key dates

• attend a webinar for applicants on 10 October 2023, 2pm-3pm
• applications close 23 November 2023
• decisions on applications made by 1 March 2024

A boost for nature and communities

Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales said: “We want to help more people in communities across Wales connect with nature. We're thrilled to be working with the Welsh Government again to distribute £9.8M and help make this a reality.

“This is now the third year of these programmes, which are providing communities and organisations with a real boost to help nature in their local area and ensure that it thrives for the benefit of everyone.”

Both of these grant programmes are delivered by the Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh government. Natural Resources Wales are additional partners on the Nature Networks Fund.