More than £3 million has been invested and enabled 103 community groups to develop projects.
Groups across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester can apply for up to £40,000 to improve their local green spaces.
The sixth round of the fund is now open for applications.
Food-growing is a common aspect of many Green Spaces Fund projects. Photo: Northern Lily
The latest round of the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s ‘Green Spaces Fund’ has re-opened for applications.
The Green Spaces Fund, launched by Andy Burnham and distributed by the Greater Manchester Environment Trust, helps community groups increase the amount of accessible, nature-rich green space where people need it most.
In this latest round, the GMET are looking for local groups who can lead projects that will benefit communities in greatest need of quality green space, tackle our climate and biodiversity emergency, and empower communities to get involved with nature.
Deeplish Community Centre harvesting produce from their Green Spaces Fund community garden
Since its launch in 2022, 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.
Speaking about the fund and its successes, 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.”
The fund is now open for its sixth round, and community groups across Greater Manchester are encouraged to apply for up to £40,000 to launch their own green projects.
If you’ve got a great green idea, visit Green Spaces Fund | Greater Manchester Environment Fund for more information.
