Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment
Open for applications – application deadline 12 noon on Monday 21 September 2026
Where we fund
Grants issued through this programme will be awarded to projects where the majority of impact will be on the City of London Corporation’s green spaces or Bunhill Fields Burial Ground. Please make sure that you meet the geographical eligibility criteria before applying. If you are unsure, please get in touch with the Central Funding and Charity Management Team (CFCMT) to confirm your eligibility.
What we fund
Proposals must meet at least one of the sub-themes listed below:
Improving the conservation value and/or biodiversity of the identified green space/s - Sub-theme A
The activities supported through this sub-theme should aim to improve the conservation of the City of London Corporation's green space(s) AND/OR protect and enhance the biodiversity of the City of London Corporation's green space(s). This should be demonstrated through actions and outcomes, for example, via practical work on the ground.
Connecting new communities with their green spaces - Sub-theme B
The activities supported through this sub-theme should help local communities who do not regularly use the green space to connect with the City of London Corporation's green spaces and encourage respectful behaviour on those spaces. Projects should facilitate a deep sense of pride, encouraging communities to participate in and advocate for our natural assets. We particularly encourage applications for bespoke proposals from organisations with expertise and experience working with people from disadvantaged communities.
The projects should demonstrate positive outcomes for these newly connected communities and should demonstrate how they will support the groups to continue to visit the green spaces.
Providing opportunities for children and young people to learn about and engage with nature - Sub-theme C
There is growing concern that opportunities for children to learn in nature are becoming limited, impacting on child development. The projects supported through this sub-theme should help address this. They should provide opportunities for children and young people to build confidence and gain understanding of nature while feeling safe and having fun on the Corporation’s green spaces and heritage assets.
We particularly encourage applications for bespoke proposals from organisations with expertise and experience working with young people struggling with education and/or employment.
The proposals should demonstrate positive outcomes for these communities and should demonstrate how they will support the groups to continue to visit the green spaces.
Improving wellbeing through the use of green spaces - Sub-theme D
Good mental health lies at the heart of wellbeing and quality of life, and of effective functioning for both individuals and communities. The projects supported through this sub-theme should encourage contact with the City Corporation's green spaces as complementary or additional to traditional treatment options within mental health.
How much you can apply for
The minimum grant that an organisation can apply for is £2,000 and the maximum grant is £15,000. To avoid creating long term commitments on the Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment Fund, any requests for funding should be clearly justified and time limited to a maximum of 3 years.
Pre-application advice
We strongly encourage you to contact the CFCMT for an informal discussion of your proposal in advance of submitting an application. We do not consider draft applications but are able to talk through whether your organisation is eligible for funding and our priorities for funding.
We also recommend that you get in touch with the City of London Corporation's Natural Environment Department before submitting an application to ensure that your proposed project can take place on the identified green space. Natural Environment Team Officers can also advise you on any licences or permissions you may need for your project.
To arrange a pre-application discussion or to be put in contact with Natural Environment Team Officers please email the CFCMT.
Visit Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment - Approved Grants to read about projects we have funded in the past.
Your organisation must be one of the following:
- Registered charity
- Registered community interest company
- Registered charitable incorporated organisation
- Charitable company (incorporated as a not-for-profit)
- Exempt or excepted charity
- Registered charitable industrial and provident society or charitable cooperative (bencom)
- Constituted voluntary organisation
All organisations must have at least three, unrelated members on their governing body and an ordinary business bank account with at least two, unrelated account signatories who do not live at the same address.
EGS is unable to pay for:
- Activities that do not have the relevant licensing/permissions
- Activities that have already taken place or start before we confirm our grant
- Any costs organisations incur when putting together an application
- Fundraising activities for an organisation or others
- Items that are purchased on behalf of another organisation
- Loans or interest payments
- Projects that actively promote religious or political activities
- Purchase of alcohol
- Refurbishment of buildings/capital works
The funding deadline for the Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment Fund is 12 noon on Monday 21 September 2026. Applicants should expect to get a decision approximately 12 weeks from the closing date.
To apply for a grant, you will need to complete an online application form by the published deadline and submit this electronically with your supporting documents.
We will only consider one application from your organisation to this fund at any one time.
All application forms should be completed through the City of London Corporation's online grants portal. Application forms in large print, Braille or audio are available on request.