• The latest round of the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund has opened for applications.
   
• Groups across all ten local authorities in Greater Manchester can apply for grants from £2,000 to create or enhance local green spaces.
   
• £4.2 million has been invested so far and enabled 122 community groups to develop projects like community gardens and urban orchards.
   

The latest round of the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund has re-opened for applications.

The fund provides grants between £2,000 - £40,000 to community groups across Greater Manchester who want to increase the amount of accessible, nature-rich green space where people need it most. 

Projects of all sizes are welcome, including groups who have small but mighty project plans to show that even the smallest green spaces can make a difference for communities.

An example is Pemberton Community Association: a Wigan-based group who launched a Green Spaces Fund project in 2024 with a grant of just £4,667.

With the money, they’ve enhanced lots of neglected spaces in a busy residential area of Wigan’s former mining district, infusing grey streets with much-needed colour.

The group has planted 1,200 bulbs including crocus and daffodil, sowed several wildflower patches, and have worked with their local high school to create a ‘bug mansion’ to support biodiversity in the area.

They also run regular community clean-ups where volunteers have been litter picking, tidying and weeding.

Angela Colquitt from Pemberton Community Association said, “Our project is all about improving these streets with new plants, tidying them up, and providing care for a community space. We have regular volunteering sessions where people can come and share a cuppa and a chat, enjoy planting together, and make where we live, work and play better for everyone.”

Over 40 volunteers have joined the effort so far, and their work is receiving lots of positive feedback. One resident said: “The space is looking lovely. Thank you to the volunteers who are giving their free time to this. It makes a big difference: it was an eyesore for so long.”

Increasing access to green spaces through initiatives like the Green Spaces Fund is a key part of Greater Manchester’s Live Well ambition to tackle health, social and economic inequalities in neighbourhoods across GM, so that everyone gets the everyday support they need to live well.

Speaking about this new round of the fund, Cllr Tom Ross, leader of Trafford Council and Green City Region lead, said: 

“Access to nature and green spaces is vital for our wellbeing and mental health. We want to show that any green space, no matter how small, can create a healthier and happier environment for residents across Greater Manchester."   

"I would encourage anyone who has an exciting or innovative idea to get in touch and apply so that we can help create more accessible and nature rich spaces for more people to enjoy.

The fund is now open until 3^rd August 2026, and community groups across Greater Manchester are encouraged to apply for grants of between £2,000 - £40,000 to launch their own green projects. Anyone can be part of the greener picture. 

Visit https://gmet.org.uk/green-spaces-fund for more information.