Urban Tree Challenge Fund

Applications are now open and close on 25th July 2021. For further information and how to apply for the Urban Tree Challenge Fund please see the helpful link. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/urban-tree-challenge-fund

The Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) opened as part of the Government’s Nature for Climate Fund, supporting the planting of 44,000 trees over a two year period for thousands of trees to be planted near schools and healthcare centres and in areas with fewer trees and higher social deprivation. This will also complement the Government’s manifesto ambition to have every new street lined with trees.

This fund will help support areas in improving people’s health and wellbeing and helping them connect with the outdoors.

The UTCF will also play a crucial role in the fight against climate change, supporting the UK’s journey to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and commitment to increase tree planting across the UK to 30,000 hectares of trees a year by 2025.

The new third round of funding is open to both block bids and individual applications. A block bid is designed for organisations to apply for funding for multiple projects that can be geographically dispersed or focused in one area but submitted under one application.

The guideline for block bids is a minimum UTCF funding requirement of £250,000. Individual applications are for smaller, focused areas of planting undertaken by small organisations or community groups.

The UTCF is open to anyone who wants to plant trees in urban or peri-urban areas, as long as you have full management control or consent to use the land for the duration of your agreement.

Protecting our environment is one of my key local priorities for Norwich and more trees in urban areas will help support people’s health and wellbeing as well as wider environmental benefits, as we build back greener from the pandemic.