Southwark biodiversity fund

How we will assess applications

Outcomes and assessment criteria

Given the key aims of the fund (see part 1), we will be seeking to fund projects that:

• deliver biodiversity outcomes by enhancing, protecting or creating habitat through physical changes to a space, supported by relevant ecological expertise or advice
• contribute to at least 1 of the following objectives (from Southwark’s Council Delivery Plan):
  • providing a high quality green space
  • planting trees
  • safer, greener and healthier streets
  • creation of parks/ nature sites
• strongly demonstrate social and/or environmental outcomes (for example, providing access to nature for communities where this is lacking; tackling flood risks or overheating; improving air quality; or increasing pride in place)
• can show they are well-planned and deliverable, including appropriate budget, timescales, and risk management
• have sustainability / future management plans in place
• demonstrate value for money (when comparing projected outcomes to the total grant request)

In addition, for grant requests over £30,000, we will be seeking projects that:

• demonstrate a strong link to the Lawton principles, for example, expanding habitat, improving habitat or creating links/ stepping stones between habitats to make space for nature
• align with the following council strategies (we will assess this in your application and can advise on this element via pre-application advice):
  • Southwark Climate Change Strategy
  • Southwark Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy
  • Southwark Nature Action Strategy ^{(PDF, 5.2mb)}
• Meet one of the following geographical or biodiversity priorities:
  • high climate risk area, according to the GLA climate risk map 
  • areas of deficiency in access to nature
  • DEFRA’s list of irreplaceable habitats
  • London Priority Species List (GLA)

How we will make decisions

If we receive more funding requests than the sum available, we will score projects competitively on these criteria, focusing on the likely biodiversity, social and environmental outcomes, and how these compare to the grant requested (value for money).

We aim to achieve a geographical spread of projects across the borough, with a particular view to areas of greatest need (for biodiversity, social and environmental / climate risk outcomes) as defined in the above criteria.

We also aim to support a range of project sizes, in order to achieve a geographical spread and also fund a mix of habitat improvement measures that will deliver lasting gains for nature. We are therefore aiming to allocate roughly 10% of the budget to grants of £15,000 to £30,000, 50% to grants of £30,000 to £80,000, and 40% to larger grants of £80,000 to £120,000. These are approximate targets, and final funding allocations will depend on the specific projects that come forward and how they score against eligibility criteria.

Page last updated: 07 October 2024