The Local Places for Nature - Breaking Barriers programme is being funded by the Welsh Government.

We’re thrilled to be working with the Welsh Government to deliver the ‘Local Places for Nature- Breaking Barriers’ grant programme, to help reconnect people from minoritised and disadvantaged communities with the natural world.
Andrew White, Director of The Heritage Fund in Wales 

Diverse and disadvantaged communities

Offering grants of between £30,000 to £100,000, the funding will encourage diverse ethnic communities including refugee, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller groups to connect with the nature on their doorsteps. 

The grant programme will also be able to provide funding for people in the top 30 per cent most deprived and disadvantaged communities in Wales. They are worst hit by issues including poverty, unemployment, ill health and poor housing.

To encourage projects or groups who have never applied for grants before, the programme will be employing expert facilitators to help them apply for funding.

The new grant is part of the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature programme which is committed to creating, restoring and enhancing nature.

Spending time in nature 

“Looking after nature, helping people to understand it, spend time in it, and value its importance, has never been more important”, said Andrew White, Director of The Heritage Fund in Wales.

"That is why we’re thrilled to be working with the Welsh Government to deliver the Local Places for Nature - Breaking Barriers grant programme, to help reconnect people from minoritised and disadvantaged communities with the natural world.

“The programme will seek to engage a wider range of people with nature, and will also help us gain a better understanding of the barriers to engaging with nature and identify potential solutions.”

Encouraging communities to create nature on their doorstep

“We are delighted to support the launch of this great project through our Local Places for Nature programme which was established to encourage communities to get involved with creating nature on their doorsteps" said Minister for Climate Change, Julie James.

“We have seen a greater appreciation of nature during the pandemic and the way in which it underpins our health, our economy and our wider wellbeing.

“I would urge anyone working for a project or a group to check to see if you could be eligible for support.”

Find out more

The Local Places for Nature - Breaking Barriers grant programme is open from Monday 19 July until Thursday 2 September.

Read the application guidance to find out more.