In addition to opening gardens for charity, the National Garden Scheme funds projects which promote gardens and gardening for social, physical and mental health. The Community Garden Grants (CGG) form part of the wider National Garden Scheme’s Gardens and Health programme which in 2023 saw the total funding for Gardens and Health projects exceed £3 million.
The CGG provide funding to amateur gardeners from community groups in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands to create or complete a garden or similar project (such as an allotment) that has a horticultural focus for the benefit of the local community or charitable group. The aim should be to bring a community together by creating or developing a space that people can share, by the acquisition and sharing of gardening knowledge and skills, and by inspiring a love of gardening.
In 2024, 89 community garden projects were funded with grants totalling £232,000 supporting community gardens and allotments, rehabilitation and regeneration projects, gardens designed to support mental health and wellbeing, as well as training and development for young people.
“We welcome applications for projects that foster diversity and/or support people with physical or mental disability. With all applications considered on their individual merits, there is no fixed amount, but awards are between £1,000 and £5,000,” says National Garden Scheme Chief Executive, George Plumptre.
National Garden Scheme ambassador, TV presenter and gardener, Danny Clarke says: “We want to see this funding going to the heart of communities, supporting projects that engage and invigorate diverse audiences, many of whom will discover for the first time the huge benefits that gardens and gardening bring to their health, wellbeing and to the surrounding environment. The icing on the cake will be that recipient gardens one day open for the National Garden Scheme themselves.”
Submissions close at noon on Monday 28th October and applicants will be notified of the results by the end of March 2025. More details about the grant and the application process can be found here.