Government Launch £10m Urban Tree Challenge Fund

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced that it will be launching a new £10 million fund to plant more than 130,000 trees across England’s towns and cities later this week. The funding is intended to help the Government meet its target of planting one million urban trees by 2022.

The Urban Tree Challenge Fund will provide grant funding to support the planting and establishment of large and small trees in urban and peri-urban areas in England. The support is competitive and targeted at projects that can provide the greatest environmental, social and economic benefits to towns and cities across the country.

The grant will be delivered as a challenge fund, and therefore requires match funding from those who apply. Applications will be accepted from public bodies, community groups, charities and non-government organisations, individuals and private companies.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove who made the announcement said:

“Trees are vital in the fight against climate change, which is why we must go further and faster to increase planting rates.

“We need trees lining the streets of our cities and towns, not only to green and shade them but to ensure that we remain connected to the wonders of the natural world and the health and wellbeing benefits that it brings us.”

Government Tree Champion Sir William Worsely said:

“Trees are the lifeblood of our nation, and it is more important than ever to ensure they are rooted not only in our countryside, but in our towns and cities too.

“The benefits of planting urban trees are endless, and I encourage anyone with the ability to apply for this fund to get involved and help green our towns and cities.”

The Urban Tree Challenge Fund will be administered by the Forestry Commission.

The deadline for applications is 28 July 2019.

More information about this funding opportunity and the application process is available on the GRANTfinder funding information platform. GRANTfinder provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on funding news and policy. To find out more about how GRANTfinder can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.