Reminder
The application window is now live for Community Orchard projects only.
This will run until 30 September 2024.
Environmental Pride is a programme established at the beginning of 2022 to support community environmental improvement projects within Doncaster. It is led by St Leger Homes and City of Doncaster Council, alongside several partnership organisations. We focus on community, and promote projects that show appreciation for the natural environment whilst also making a difference in their local area.
To date, we have launched four rounds, awarding 55 projects funding and/or in kind support to deliver a range of projects, from communal food growing, community orchards to litter picking lunches.
We aim to support local community groups that can demonstrate how their projects will be community-led, responds to climate change by improving their local environment, encourages people to be outside and has a lasting impact.
Projects can take the form of improvements to the natural environment, community activities/events in public open spaces or the creation of Community Orchards.
In light of the climate and biodiversity emergency, we want everyone to realise the importance of protecting, enhancing and celebrating our natural environment. It is our hope that this programme will encourage communities and organisations to collaborate in responding to this emergency and make a difference in Doncaster.
What is Environmental Pride?
Environmental Pride provides varying levels of support to help communities deliver environmental improvement projects within their areas. Community groups can request a range of support, including but not limited to extra volunteer support, business advice or funding to get the project off the ground.
The programme is intended to help local residents make a difference to their community and will support projects that:
- Are created and led by the local community for the local community
- Improve or celebrate the local environment
- Remain the responsibility of the community throughout the project
- Support local people to become active in enhancing and celebrating their local areas
- Encourage people to be physically active whilst improving their environment and/or as a result of activity/project
- Bring people together and promote pride in the community and neighbourhood
- Are sustainable in the long term without significant ongoing organisational support or funding
- Are aimed at obtaining funding for a purpose that City of Doncaster Council and St Leger Homes (or its partners) would not normally contribute towards
What projects will be funded?
Environmental Pride supports projects across a range of categories:
- Category 1 – Physical improvements to natural environment (£100 - £5,000 available*)
- Category 2 – Activities/events within public open spaces (up to £1,000 available per event) - Sponsored by Get Doncaster Moving
- Category 3 – Community Orchards (up £5,000 available)
*Further information can be found in the PDF below
This round (open early July 2024 - 30th September 2024) we will only be supporting applications for Category 3 - Community Orchards
Project Map
Click below to see all the Environmental Pride projects that have been supported so far
Project MapCase Studies
Read about projects from our previous rounds
Seed to Feed is an Environmental Pride project organised by Whinfell Community Group in Adwick, Doncaster. The group aims to improve physical and mental wellbeing, prevent social isolation and encourage environmental action in the community.
Whinfell Hall had existing planter beds on site, which provided produce for community lunch meals and excess produce was delivered to less mobile residents free of charge. However, the area was overgrown and difficult to manage. Also, the design of the planter beds were not accessible to all members of community.
Using grant funding from Environmental Pride, Whinfell community group were able to redesign the space, including changing the planter beds to be a height and length that was accessible to all. Community member and keen gardener, Mr Richard Fardell, was delighted with the outcome stating: "This could really change the way we use the outdoor space for the centre’s users."
Adventuring Angels are a community organisation based in Conisbrough, Doncaster who are currently developing a local Forest School area to become their HQ site. This project is being supported by Environmental Pride, who are facilitating volunteer support as well as grant funding.
On site they are: planting new trees and hedgerows, a wild meadow, developing a pond, building compostable toileting facilities and, installing raised planter beds.
Exemplifying Adventuring Angels’ holistic working approach, the HQ site aims to deliver a number of benefits:
- Increased biodiversity
- Reduce the flow of rainwater that passes through the site.
- Community engagement, developing people’s skills, aspirations and pride in the local environment.
The Cambeth Community Project operate out of the Copper Pipe Café in The Bridge College, a provision for young people and adults with SEND. Historically the local area had a number of community and educational buildings, which enabled community spirit to shine, but overtime many of these spaces have been closed or demolished. Surrounded by housing, retail and industrial estates, the area is also prone to high amounts of litter.
CCP applied for Environmental Pride funding for a Litter Picking Lunches project, which aimed to:
- Provide education about planet conservation, as well as improving the local environment
- Encourage community cohesion and pride
- Facilitate meaningful experiences to students with SEND
Overall, the project was a success and volunteers were able to learn about recycling and the problems in local areas whilst being outdoors in the fresh air which supported their mental health and wellbeing. Now, the group are looking to create a sensory light garden using recycled materials.
This community garden in Armthorpe, Doncaster started out as school community allotments that over time had become neglected and overgrown. Community volunteers wanted to revitalise the space and give back to the community.
Environmental Pride coordinated an action support day, which involved volunteers from a local business, Efficiency North, helping to clear and ready planter beds, move five tonnes of loose planings, one tonne of manure, and repair and make fresh borders. Thornham Community Group received funding to cover the initial material costs, as well as investing in the supplies and tools they needed to maintain the site for the future.
Now led by volunteers, this community garden space is open to all who wish to volunteer, grow food and connect to nature with other likeminded individuals.
Who can apply?
Applications are open to:
- Registered charities including charitable incorporated organisations
- Formally constituted community groups (e.g. ‘Friends of’ groups, allotment associations)
- Social and not-for-profit businesses including community interest companies and social enterprises
- Tenants’ and residents’ associations, and tenant clubs Schools (but only for category 2 – activities/events)
- Parish councils (but only for category 2 – activities/events and category 3 – community orchards).
Applications should be from a formally constituted organisation that has a group bank account (at least two unrelated signatories) and is able to enter into legal contracts.
How to apply
Before starting an application, please read our application guidance document carefully:
Doncaster Environmental Pride Community Orchard Guidance Notes
Volunteer Risk Assessment Form
*Please note, the application window is now live for Community Orchard projects only.
Support available
St Leger Homes, Doncaster Council and partners are all actively involved in supporting the scheme. We can offer practical support to help residents develop their idea and bring it to fruition.
For example if your project needs 5 people for 5 days to get the project established, or it needs help over several months to plan the project, Doncaster Council and St Leger Homes will work with partners to identify appropriately skilled staff to support your project.
Contact details
You can also contact us on email or phone at any point in the application process.
Email: EnvironmentalPride@doncaster.gov.uk
Phone: 01302 736319/ 01302 736068
Address: Sustainability Unit, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU
Environmental Pride Programme
pdf | 8592Kb