Northumbrian Water’s Branch Out scheme, which offers grants of up to £25,000 to projects which benefit the natural environment, wildlife and local communities, is inviting new applications for funding.
Branch Out supports projects within Northumbrian Water’s operating area which enhances the local environment, and benefit wildlife and communities. Applications are welcomed from organisations, community groups and individuals from the public, private, voluntary and education sectors. The deadline for the current round of funding is 31 August 2019.
Since launching in 2013, Branch Out has awarded grants worth over £400,000 across nearly 100 different projects.
Judging for the most recent round of Branch Out funding took place in March 2019, with around £20,000 of funding being allocated across six new projects.
Northumbrian Water’s Conservation and Land Manager, Stuart Pudney, said: “We are immensely proud of the scheme and the work we do to support not only local organisations but also the region’s wildlife. A healthy natural environment is essential for us to supply clear, great tasting drinking water.
“Since the launch of Branch Out, it has made a really significant contribution in helping a range of local groups and wildlife charities build resilience and adaption to the changing climate, whilst enabling communities to reconnect with wildlife.”
Projects can also be supported by ‘Just an Hour’, Northumbrian Water’s employee volunteering programme.
Marlborough Primary School in Washington made a successful bid for the creation of a natural pond, receiving a grant of £2,500, where the project is being supported by a number of partners including Northumbrian Water and Durham Wildlife Trust.
Ruth Smith from Durham Wildlife Trust, said: “We got the funding from Northumbrian Water so that’s enabled us to design the pond, buy all the goods for it, like the fence, the liner, pond plants, and also come in and do a bit of education with the children.
“We’ve had help off Northumbrian Water volunteers which has been absolutely wonderful.”
Full details on how to apply are available at https://www.nwl.co.uk/your-home/environment/branch-out.aspx. All applications will be carefully considered and judged against set criteria. Decisions for applications received by 31 August 2019 will be provided by 30 September 2019.