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Cumbria has many funding avenues for you to explore in the land + nature sector
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust have a variety of programmes and funding opportunities in England focused on improving their three key themes; health & wellbeing, employment and skills. Areas in Cumbria which are eligible are:Harrington; Maryport North; Maryport South; Moss Bay and Moorclose; St Michael’s; Cleator Moor East and Frizington; Cleator Moor West; Egremont; Egremont North and St Bees; Hillcrest and Hensingham; Howgate; Kells and Sandwith; Mirehouse
UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cumberland Council. Funding for UKSPF is available for capital and revenue activity for projects that demonstrate alignment and deliverability against the call criteria. Cumberland has been allocated £13,115,256 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda, and a significant component of its support for places across the UK.
Our funds have been created by our donors and each have their own criteria or area of interest. Most support locally based community and voluntary groups and some also support individuals.To apply for a grant, you will need to complete an application form and send it to us with the supporting documents indicated. We encourage you to read the guidance of our funds before applying, but if you’re unsure about the eligibility of your application, give our grants team a call on 01900 825760.
The Cumbria Social Enterprise Hub offers support and advice on developing ideas and diversifying businesses as well as highlighting possible funding streams to seed or grow businesses.
Cumbria CVS can help link you to funding streams and support to: Help you to identify sources of funding in order for you to adapt and develop services or help your organisation to survive the current funding crisis; Provide advice to you on what makes a strong (and therefore more likely to be successful) funding application; Assist you by reading over and commenting on your application prior to submission to give your application maximum chance of success; Help you by asking questions on your behalf to funders prior to submission where possible; Help you to develop, write and submit funding applications where required if you do not have the capacity to do; Help connect you with other voluntary, statutory or private sector organisations who may be able to be partners in your application or service delivery.
Programmes & Grant Streams
As leaders in the Learning from the Land sector, we are committed to promoting land-based learning to the widest audience. The potential for growth feeds our desire to forge new connections and collaborations with those who share our vision of a more environmentally engaged society.
We use our voice to: Promote our sector and expand its funding sources; Share our knowledge and best-practice with others; Initiate and support collaborations within the sector.
A government-backed Forestry Training Fund is available to cover training costs for short, practical forestry courses. Funding is available for people considering a change of career or seeking to build and diversify their skills in forestry and who want to undertake a forestry-related training course.The Fund Offers 100% funding for eligible courses and expect grants to be in the range of £150-£3,000. Funding will be paid directly to the training provider.
Heritage Crafts is the national charity set up to celebrate, support and safeguard traditional craft skills, and to facilitate a national conversation about their importance to everyone now and in the future. The charity's Patron is His Majesty King Charles III.
Heritage Crafts offer training bursaries for those experiencing financial hardship. To apply for a training bursary, you could be just starting out on your journey in craft or at the point where you want to turn a hobby into a career, or you could already be an early-career maker who is looking to further develop your heritage craft skills.
Successful applicants will be supported by the Heritage Crafts team to develop an action plan and the charity will work with you to monitor progress and support you to achieve your aims.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players, the Heritage Fund distribute grants from £10,000 to £10million to support projects across the UK that connect people and communities to their heritage.
Raise is the home and champion of Cumbria Community Forest. A collective of science-led foresters and ecologists, artists, artisans and academics passionate about trees and woodland. They offers funding for potential tree planting opportunities on your land. Up to 100% costs of Year 1 establishment, up to 15 years of support payments to ensure quality and success.
Over 80% of our education participants receive charitable funding. As a charity, it's our mission to make our courses available to as many young people as possible. We can’t let money stand in the way. Our charitable funding can only be used towards an Outward Bound course. Young beneficiaries need to be in the education system in the UK and meet at least two of the following criteria:
Free school meals; Low-income family; English as a second language; Ethnic minority backgrounds; Special educational needs; Poor educational attainment
Grants and funding available from Westmorland and Furness Council.
We manage a variety of grants and funds to invest in our communities and area to bring about positive change. If you have an idea for a project and are looking for funding but can’t see anything relevant you can get in touch with your local community development team.
If you need support to complete an application form please get in touch with the contact person listed with the full details of that grant.
You can search for funding using our online funding portal; this applies to both Business Funding and Community Funding.
There are many rewarding careers in the land + nature based sector across Cumbria. Check out our Careers page to find out more.
