Established in 2021, Project Giving Back (PGB) is the vision of two individuals who support a wide range of charitable causes whose work suffered during the global Covid-19 pandemic and continues to be affected by the economic downturn and cost-of-living crisis. The scheme gives UK (and other) charities the chance to apply for a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, subject to the usual RHS selection process. Hence, providing an opportunity for the charity to raise awareness and support for their work on a global platform. The charity originally pledged to fund 42 gardens at RHS Chelsea in 2022, 2023 and 2024, with an investment of around £12m.
Speaking at the opening of the 2023 Gardens For Good Causes Exhibition at the Garden Museum in London, Project Giving Back’s CEO, Hattie Ghaui, said: “I am thrilled to confirm we will be supporting even more gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea Flower Show until 2026. As we move into our third year of funding, it feels like PGB is still in its adolescent years and we wanted to give it time to mature into adulthood. We know from having to turn down some incredibly strong funding applications over the past couple of years that there are so many wonderful stories waiting to be told. We’re all excited to see how the creativity of charities, designers and wider garden teams continues to unfold and look forward to welcoming more partnerships into the PGB family.”
Clare Matterson, Director General of the RHS, said: “We are delighted that the founders of Project Giving Back have decided to extend their support for a further two years. This continued generosity demonstrates how having a garden at our world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show offers a valuable platform like no other for a whole range of organisations. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Project Giving Back to bring the charities’ messages to life through the power of gardens.”
The application process for 2025 is now open. The deadline for 2025 expressions is 03.11.2023.