4 SALFORD COMMUNITY-LED PROJECTS BOOSTED BY GREEN SPACES FUNDING

Almost £800,000 has been awarded to community-led schemes throughout Greater Manchester – all of which will improve or create local green spaces.

It has now been confirmed that there are 31 successful projects – at least two in each of the ten Greater Manchester boroughs – from Round Two of the Green Spaces Fund.

Four of those chosen were within Salford.

The news follows on from the successful first round of the scheme announced at the Green Summit in October 2022, which saw almost £400,000 allocated to 21 projects that are making a real difference to their local area. The fund makes small and large grants available for community groups wanting to create new, spaces or improve existing ones in their local area, particularly where there is currently a lack of good quality green space.

Successful bids in Round Two range from community gardens and growing spaces to educational and nature recovery schemes, including:

Friends of Irlam Library Secret Garden 

The project is to clear the land near the library, make it safe and accessible and create an eco-friendly, biodiverse space to be used by library visitors and members of the community.

A Bogs Life

Creation of new green space that will double as an educational resource for visitors as they discover the different stages in the life of a peat bog.

Blackleach Allotments Community Garden & Community Starter Plots

Utilising unused space to build a wellbeing wildlife garden.

Seed, Sow, Grow

Developing the unused exterior land of a former council building so that the community can make use of the green spaces surrounding it.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: 

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“The Green Spaces Fund continues to give communities the support to improve their local areas, in turn helping to make Greater Manchester a greener and fairer place.

“The variety of schemes we’ve been able to support through the second round of the fund really demonstrates the vast benefits that green space can have, from physical and mental health wellbeing to community togetherness and the biodiversity of our city-region. This is why it’s so important that everyone has access to some form of green space wherever they live.

“The next round of funding is due to open very soon, so if you think you can make a difference to your community, I’d really encourage you to consider making an application and helping turn your local area green.”    

 

The Green Spaces Fund is managed by the Greater Manchester Environment Fund (GMEF). A pioneering body created in partnership with the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GMEF brings together communities and funding bodies keen to channel their resources into addressing environmental problems.

It is not too late to apply for funding through the Green Spaces Fund, with round 3 opening on Monday 27th March 2023. There are two types of grants available: small grants up to £15,000 and large grants between £15,000 and £40,000.

For more information and support with your application visit the Greater Manchester Environmental Fund website.