In its first year, this project had such a brilliant impact, that we are excited to annouce we have doubled the small grants funding pot this year – providing £10,000* for local communities to help Devon’s wildlife.

DEF is working in partnership with Devon Communities Together and the Devon Local Nature Partnership to offer small grants of up to £500 to help community wildlife projects. The aim is to provide an easy way for community groups to access small amounts of funding to kickstart their groups and initiatives, as well as benefit from advice, equipment, and other resources.

The project recognises the vital role community action can play in tackling the ecological emergency through diverse, environmentally sustainable interventions that will provide long term benefits for wildlife.

In 2022, £5,000 was awarded to 27 Community Wildlife Groups in Devon. Outcomes included:

• A total of 204,006.65 square meters of land protected or restored. This included wet and dry meadow & woodland and land used to create ponds.
• 420 people from communities across Devon were engaged in the wildlife-friendly projects.

“This is a great opportunity for communities to get together and support the wildlife in their local area … this could be by creating or restoring a wildlife space or through monitoring and education. Projects could take place in gardens, parks, green spaces, churchyards, orchards, ponds and ditches, buildings and more. We’re excited to support communities in Devon to provide lots of long term benefits for wildlife” –  Rod Birtles, Project Manager at DCT.

If your community would like to apply for some funding to help wildlife in your community, find out more here and in video below.

Big thanks to DEF supporter, Lightrock Power, for their generous donation that enabled us to double the 2023 grant.

* £12,230 awarded to include DEF’s contribution to the administration of the scheme, which has also been match-funded by DCT and DLNP.

 

UPDATE Autumn 2023: A great example of how vital community action can play in tackling the ecological crisis! Read about their impact here.