Sustainable growing media funding available
Defra, in partnership with the RHS, has set up a project to help Britain in Bloom and It’s Your Neighbourhood groups (England only) increase their use of sustainable growing media.
The fund is open to all 'in Bloom' and It’s Your Neighbourhood groups, providing they meet the criteria set out in the guidelines.
£100,000 is available over two years to support groups’ use of sustainable growing media in place of peat. Funding is available to cover the additional costs of using plants grown in sustainable growing media (please see guidance below for more information). Projects can be large or small, whatever is appropriate to local activities.
To apply for funds, groups must be either local-authority led or working in partnership with the local authority (which is usually the district, county, city or borough council). Find your local authority
However, applications are also welcome from groups working with parish or town councils (see guidance for further details). Groups will need to develop partnerships with their local supply chain (i.e. growers, landscapers, growing media suppliers).
There are no restrictions on the size, location (within England) or type of horticultural project. Examples might include: a parish council opting to plant a range of public flower beds with plants grown in sustainable growing media; a community group sourcing reduced-peat growing media for raising their own plants for town-centre baskets; or a community group working with a local grower to source plants grown in peat-free media for a new public garden.
To apply for a grant:
Please read the guidelines for applicants below. Complete and return the application form, along with supporting information, to Plantinggrant@defra.gsi.gov.uk or by post to:
Soils Policy SHiP Project, Defra
Area 4C Ergon house,
Horseferry road, London. SW1P 2AL
Applications for funding will close on 5th July 2013 and Defra hope to confirm successful applicants in September 2013.
- Download an application form (241kB pdf) containing guidelines for applicants. To request a Word version of the form, please email Plantinggrant@defra.gsi.gov.uk
In addition to the forms please provide the following supporting documents:
- Signed statement of support from the local authority partner (this is usually the district, county, city or borough council). Find your local authority
- Signed statement from the local government / council partner (ONLY applicable to groups who are working with or led by the town or parish council instead of the local authority)
- Signed statement from procurement partners (growers, landscapers, growing media provider)
- Project plan (see guidelines for applicants)
For questions relating to the fund or filling in the application form please contact Plantinggrant@defra.gsi.gov.uk or phone 020 7238 5280.
Please note: Defra will require successful applicants to complete feedback forms on an annual basis.
- Mid-project feedback form (77kB pdf; for two year projects only)
- End project feedback form (81kB pdf; for both one and two year projects)
Additional advice for applicants:
- We recommend that you plan a clearly defined project, where you can assess the impact of the work in isolation to your other activities.
- Should you receive funding to carry out your project you should highlight your activity to the visiting Bloom judges, who will consider the work under the ‘Environmental Responsibility’ judging criteria.
- For more on sustainable media, see the most recent issue of Grass Roots (2MB pdf) or read RHS advice about peat-free growing media. Don't forget, all Bloom and It’s Your Neighbourhood groups registered on the 2013 campaigns can also contact the RHS Advisory service for free advice. Please refer to the online hub for the details of how to contact the advisory team. To receive a reminder of how to access the online hub, please email communities@rhs.org.uk with your group name and ‘online hub login reminder’.