Mayor’s nature fund reopens to grant applications

Mayor of Greater Manchester’s ‘Green Spaces Fund’ has re-opened for sixth round of grant applications for community groups to improve access to nature rich spaces across the city-region.

The fund was launched by Andy Burnham in 2022, and is distributed by the Greater Manchester Environment Trust (GMET). Since its launch, the fund has invested approximately £3 million and enabled more than 100 community groups to develop projects across the city region, including orchards, green alleyways, allotments, community gardens, a tree trail and an urban farm. 

So far over 28,000m2 of new green space has been created and nearly 400,000m2 of existing green space has been improved. 300,000 trees, shrubs, bulbs, vegetable plants and flowers have been planted, and over 100,000 local people have engaged with projects.

The latest funding round looks to support local groups with grants of up to £40,000 to lead projects that will benefit communities in greatest need of quality green space, tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency, and empower communities to get involved with nature. 

Speaking about the fund and its successes, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

“We’re proud to be opening another round of the Green Spaces Fund, building on the incredible momentum we’ve seen across Greater Manchester. Community groups have shown just how much can be achieved when local people are given support to reimagine improve the spaces around them.

“This next wave is about going even further, targeting areas that need green space the most, backing projects that respond to the climate and nature emergencies, and creating places that bring people together.”

Daveen Wallis, Co-founder of the Greater Manchester Environment Trust, said:

“The Green Spaces Fund is helping communities across the city region reconnect with nature, and we’re excited to see what ideas come through in this next round. We were lucky enough to receive corporate contributions from AutoTrader in the fifth round of the fund, so we’re now actively seeking support for Round 6, too.”

Applications to the Green Spaces Fund are open until 14 August 2025 via the GMET website.