Almost £800,000 has been awarded to community-led schemes throughout Greater Manchester which will be used to improve or create local green spaces.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has confirmed that there are 31 successful projects – at least two in each of the ten Greater Manchester boroughs – from Round Two of the Green Spaces Fund.
The news follows the first round of the scheme which was announced at the Green Summit in October 2022 and saw almost £400,000 allocated to 21 projects. GMCA says the fund makes small and large grants available for community groups to create new spaces or improve existing ones in their local area, particularly where there is currently a lack of good quality green space.
Successful bids in Round Two range from community gardens and growing spaces to educational and nature recovery schemes. Examples include the Secret Garden Allotment in Rochdale, which sees raised beds and an orchard planted to create a community space.
As well as the Stretford Tree Trail in Trafford, which aims to combat social isolation whilst enhancing greenspaces across the area, and GROW with the FLOW in Wigan, which focuses on wildlife and woodland enhancement alongside a commitment to engaging the local community.
The Green Spaces Fund continues to give communities the support to improve their local areas.
Commenting on the funding, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The Green Spaces Fund continues to give communities the support to improve their local areas, in turn helping to make Greater Manchester a greener and fairer place.
“The variety of schemes we’ve been able to support through the second round of the fund really demonstrates the vast benefits that green space can have, from physical and mental health wellbeing to community togetherness and the biodiversity of our city region. This is why it’s so important that everyone has access to some form of green space wherever they live.
“The next round of funding is due to open very soon, so if you think you can make a difference to your community, I’d really encourage you to consider making an application and helping turn your local area green.”
The Green Spaces Fund is managed by the Greater Manchester Environment Fund (GMEF), a body created in partnership with the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside and the GMCA.
The Green Spaces Fund is still open for applications with round 3 opening on Monday 27th March 2023. There are two types of grants available: small grants up to £15,000 and large grants between £15,000 and £40,000.