Green Spaces Fund

Green Spaces Fund is sponsored by Greater Manchester Environment Trust. Grants for community groups across Greater Manchester to increase accessible, nature-rich green spaces.

Green Spaces Fund | Greater Manchester Environment Trust 31,671 m2 green space created () 611,688 m2 green space improved () The Green Spaces Fund provides grants between £2,000 - £40,000 to community groups across Greater Manchester who want to increase the amount of accessible, nature-rich green space where people need it most. Since launching in 2022, the fund has invested over £4.

2 million and enabled 122 community groups to develop projects across the city region, including orchards, green alleyways, allotments and community gardens. So far, over 31,000m 2 of new green space has been created and 611,688m 2 of existing green space has been improved. The Green Spaces Fund is now open!

The 2026 round of the Green Spaces Fund is now open for applications, and will close on 3rd August 2026 at noon. All applications are to be submitted via our Flexi-Grant portal here: Start your Green Spaces Fund application Best of luck with your application! Please see below for essential eligibility criteria and how our Green Spaces Fund Advisors can support your application.

Before you apply, there are some key criteria you’ll have to meet to be eligible to apply to the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund. The below questions will help you to find out if you’re ready! Does your project focus on the creation and/or improvement of green or blue (water) space?

It is essential that your project delivers this. Is your application being submitted by one of our eligible groups? Your organisation needs to be a registered charity, a community group, a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), a residents association, a community interest company (CIC), a school, or a community benefit society.

Please note: individuals are not eligible to apply. Do you have permission from the person who owns the land to deliver your project on their site? You must submit landowner permission (in writing) as part of your application.

Is the project going to be on publicly accessible land? All projects funded by the Green Spaces Fund must be on land which is openly and freely accessible to the public. Confirmation must also be provided that the land will remain accessible to the public during and after the works.

Does your group/organisation have a bank account that has been open for at least three months? Please note, this cannot be a personal bank account. If not, you need to ask an accountable body, i.

e a registered housing provider or local authority to hold the money from the Green Spaces Fund on your behalf if you are successful with your application. If you answered yes to all of these questions, you’re on the right track to submit an application! Make sure you check the 2026 guidance document for full eligibility criteria for the Green Spaces Fund, and review our AI position statement before submitting an application.

All applications are to be submitted via our Flexi-Grant portal before noon on Monday 3rd August 2026 : Start your Green Spaces Fund application The Green Spaces Fund Advisors Our dedicated Green Spaces Fund Advisors are on hand to support any residents or groups looking to apply, offering expert advice on how to shape a strong application and guiding applicants through the process step by step.

Each advisor covers a different area of Greater Manchester - you can contact your local advisor directly using the following details: Bolton & Bury: Susan Whittle, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, gsfadvisor@lancswt. org. uk Manchester & Trafford: Kieron McGlasson, Sow the City, kieron@sowthecity.

org Oldham & Salford: Andrew Swarbrick, RHS, andrewswarbrick@rhs. org. uk Rochdale: Lizzie Meade, Groundwork, lizzie.

meade@groundwork. org. uk Stockport & Tameside: Nina Jerome, City of Trees, nina@cityoftrees.

org. uk Wigan: Sam Phillips, Groundwork, sam. phillips@groundwork.

org. uk Learn more about our Advisors Find out more about the Green Spaces Fund and the application process in the webinar recordings linked below.

Meeting Aim 1 of the fund - Benefit communities in greatest need of quality green space - watch the recording here Meeting Aim 2 of the fund - Tackle our climate and biodiversity emergency - watch the recording here Meeting Aim 3 of the fund - Encourage and empower communities to get involved with nature - watch the recording here Want to do a local project but not sure where to start?

Get some inspiration by finding out more about the projects we are already supporting through the Green Spaces Fund. Increasing access to green spaces through initiatives like the Green Spaces Fund is a key part of Greater Manchester’s Live Well ambition to tackle health, social and economic inequalities in neighbourhoods across GM, so that everyone gets the everyday support they need to live well.

Take a look at the inspiring projects that have already received funding through the GMET. Become a Corporate Supporter Work with the GMET and your organisation can help community-led projects create a greener Greater Manchester for all. Looking to find out more about the Greater Manchester Environment Trust and our current opportunities?

Please get in touch with us here…