Parks for People funding helps to conserve the heritage that makes both historic parks and cemeteries special and it gives local people a say in how they are managed in the future. Projects improve people’s wellbeing and knowledge of their area, and make communities better places to live, work and visit.
Applicants need to show that the local community values the park or cemetery as part of their heritage, and that they are already actively involved in its management. Not-for-profit organisations and partnerships led by not-for-profit organisations can apply including local authorities, charities, trusts, community interest companies, social enterprises, parish councils, voluntary organisations and community groups.
Grants of between £100,000 and £5 million are available to support the following:
- Landscape design layout.
- Surviving or lost historic features or buildings.
- Natural heritage including priority habitats and species.
- Archaeological sites, earthworks or features from an earlier phase of design.
- Collections of plants, trees, objects or documents.
- Cultural traditions such as stories, festivals, fairs and crafts.
- People’s memories and experiences of the park or cemetery.
- The history associated with individual features such as memorials or veteran trees.
There is a two-round application process. Applications can be made at an early stage of planning in order to get a good idea of whether the project will receive funding. The second round application will require greater detail and must be received up to 26 months after the first-round decision.
Find out more on the Heritage Lottery Fund website.
The next deadline for applications is 1 September 2015 (12pm). Then the next deadline will be 29 February 2016.
