Funding for Community Tree Planting Projects Across the UK

The International Tree Foundation is offering grants for community-based organisations across the UK to deliver tree-planting projects that protect and restore indigenous trees and woodlands, support community engagement in tree planting, and increase awareness of the importance of trees and forests to environmental and human well-being.

The UK Community Tree Planting Programme will support projects that meet the following essential criteria:

• Plant trees in public/publicly accessible spaces: sites that are readily accessible to the public, including schools, parks, rights of way, and sites managed by community groups.
• Plant indigenous tree species: this may include traditional fruit trees and ‘honorary’ natives where appropriate.
• Engage community members in tree planting and enjoying the benefits of woodlands.
• Have clear plans for maintenance and sustainability.

In addition, for this funding round proposed projects must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Engage children and young adults in tree planting and learning about trees.
• Engage vulnerable groups and groups with low access to woodlands.
• Create biodiversity in habitats.
• Conserve soil and water.
• Demonstrate new approaches, such as agroforestry.
• Support rewilding and natural regeneration.
• Support work or research on tree pest and disease resistance and climate change adaptation.
• Support urban tree planting.

Grants are available across two funding streams:

• Grants for community woodland/hedging projects that range from 100 to 25,000 trees planted per year, with a maximum price equivalent to £1.95 per tree.
• Grants for community orchard projects of up to 30 trees planted per year.

There is a two-stage application process. Groups must first submit an online Expression of Interest form before being shortlisted to complete a full application.