Community Spaces deadline looms

Community groups across England are getting the last call to apply for a lottery-funded grant of between £50,000 to £450,000 for green open spaces. Community Spaces is a £50 million grants programme that is supporting groups to apply for funding to create or re-vamp open spaces.  The programme, funded through the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces initiative and managed by Groundwork UK, is currently offering groups the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £450,000 to create community gardens, parks, village greens and woodlands.

The programme, which is open for grants of under £50,000 until 2011, is only offering grants of up to £450,000 until January 2009. Director of the Open Grants Department at Groundwork UK, Wendy Jenkins said, “Community Spaces is essentially about local people creating better local environments. We hope applications for larger grants will demonstrate some innovative ideas to regenerate public open spaces across the country.”

Peter Wanless, Big Lottery Fund Chief Executive said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for community groups to breathe new life into open spaces. As well as improving the local environment, the Changing Spaces programme brings people across England together to enjoy the great outdoors and improve their general well being. BIG is delighted to provide funding for such a positive initiative.”

Further information and deadlines for large and flagship grants can be found at: www.community-spaces.org.uk or by calling the Advice Line: 0845 3 671 671.