Southwark biodiversity fund
Application process
Pre-application feedback
Four information sessions will be held for interested applicants to receive feedback about their project ideas. This will include a 10 minute conversation with a council officer, where you will be given constructive feedback on how your project idea meets the eligibility and criteria. Please only attend 1 of the sessions.
The sessions will take place on the following dates:
- 31 October 2024, 12.30pm to 5pm, room G07, 160 Tooley Street, SE1 2QH
- 1 November 2024, 12.30pm to 5pm, online
- 12 November 2024,12.30pm to 5pm, room G07, 160 Tooley Street, SE1 2QH
- 13 November 2024,12.30pm to 5pm, online
Completing the form
If you meet the eligibility requirements, download the application form and return your completed form by email to southwarkbiodiversityfund@southwark.gov.uk.
There is no limit on the number of applications per organisation. However, we will only award a maximum of either 2 smaller grants (£15,000 to £30,000) or 1 small grant and 1 large grant (£30,000 to £120,000) to any single lead organisation.
Reviewing applications
Following the initial officer assessment, an advisory panel will review all funding applications in competition and agree on an application shortlist and initial recommendations using the criteria outlined on how we will assess applications.
The panel will check:
- if the idea is feasible and meets the grant criteria
- what biodiversity outcomes are expected to be achieved
- whether the idea is well planned, cost effective and sustainable
The shortlist and initial recommendations will then be presented to our Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business, who will decide which proposals receive funding and how much.
You will be informed about the outcome of your application in early 2025. If you are awarded a grant, you will be sent a pack including:
- a grant letter outlining the conditions of your grant
- a request for any outstanding organisational documents not attached with the original application (PDF) needed in order to release the grant, for example:
- safeguarding policy
- health and safety policy
- equal opportunities policy/statement
- code of conduct
- public liability insurance
- a set of accounts showing income/ expenditure for the last financial year
You must return a signed and completed conditions of grant funding document. Your grants officer will confirm that all the information is in order and give you approval to start your project.
Monitoring
Once you have been awarded funding, you will be asked to provide updates on how your project is progressing.
Four months after the funding has been awarded, you will be asked to complete a short form with details of your progress so far. You will also be asked to provide some photos of your site.
You will then be asked to provide a further update in autumn/winter 2025.
We may also request that you meet with us on-site towards the end of your project to discuss your progress and celebrate your success.
If you are unable to deliver your idea within 18 months, we will withdraw funding.
Page last updated: 07 October 2024
