Funding

Kick-start your community's environmental projects with the right funding support. 

Getting funding can help your community group take the next step — whether it’s planting pollinator habitats, running a clean-up, or creating wildlife spaces. This guide will help you find funding opportunities, strengthen your applications, and access training and support to grow your impact. 

Finding Funding Opportunities

• Check your local council – Most councils offer small community environmental grants. Visit our Council Contacts page for details.

• Subscribe to updates – Sign up for newsletters from Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, The National Lottery Community Fund NI, Groundwork NI, and Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.  Check out NICVA's Grant Tracker also.

• Explore environmental networks – Groups like Ulster Wildlife and The Conservation Volunteers often share open calls and partnership opportunities.

Writing a Strong Application

When applying for grants, clarity and community impact are key. 

Top tips:

• Show local need – Use photos or brief examples to show why your project matters.  
• Plan your budget – Include realistic costs and explain how each item supports your goals.
• Collaborate – Mention any schools, community groups or partners involved.
• Measure impact – Outline how you’ll track success, such as volunteers involved, waste collected, biodiversity gains.
• Be specific – Describe your project’s purpose, location and who benefits.

Also, you might want to check out the following resources:

• NICVA — Writing Successful Funding Applications

• Community Foundation NI — Tips for submitting a grant application

• Community Fund — Using artificial intelligence tools in funding applications

Training and Support 

The right support and training can turn a great idea into a successful, high-impact project. Check out these organisations offering helpful guidance for community groups across Northern Ireland:

• Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful — Provides free advice, webinars, and practical toolkits to help communities take meaningful action for climate, nature, and the environment.
• Volunteer Now — Offers training in Attracting and Selecting Volunteers and Managing and Motivating Volunteers.
• The Conservation Volunteers — Offers volunteer training and practical site-based workshops for community groups.
• Ulster Wildlife — Provides training workshops on habitat creation, species recording and biodiversity; great for groups applying for nature-based grants.

Apply for the Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme

If your group is just starting out or planning a new environmental project, the Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme is a great place to start.

This annual programme supports local community and volunteer-led projects to undertake environmental improvement projects that benefit the wider community. Funding can go towards tools, equipment, plants, and materials to support your work. 

Find out more