This short report on the Making Space for Nature Micro Grants Programme presents benefits and learnings from the programme as well as summaries of a range of the different projects developed with the grants in Thamesmead, London. 

The Making Space for Nature / CLEVER Cities programme has awarded over 30 grants to individuals and groups in Thamesmead from 2021 to 2023. The programme awarded a total of £60,766 to projects that focused on green space regeneration, mental health & wellbeing, recycling & environment, as well as nature activation & food workshops. These projects have now been successfully completed, with a tremendously positive impact on the community and green spaces in Thamesmead, London.

These green micro grants have helped create a number of benefits both for individuals and the broader community. Such grants that focus on smaller-scale projects and community-driven initiatives empower individuals or local organizations who may not have access to traditional funding sources. It fosters community engagement and collaboration, as individuals and groups work together to propose, implement, and monitor projects. This involvement builds confidence in the applicants that they can be agents of positive change by providing bottom-up solutions to local environmental challenges. 

Our micro grants provide financial support to individuals or groups who have locally focused ideas or projects that help connect the community with the Thamesmead’s natural resources. The programme has supported both visible greening projects as well as activities that bring people into contact with nature. This has allowed stakeholders to witness the direct impact of their efforts and become more active citizens and ambassadors for the positive changes underway in the area. The grants have helped facilitate collaboration between diverse local stakeholders and these partnerships provide examples of how a network of actors, working together, can improve the quality of life of the community. Overall, the Making Space for Nature Grants programme has helped to empowers residents, increase skills and confidence and begin to bring together a group of people engaged in positive change, nurturing a sustainable future at the grassroots level.

The grants have helped facilitate collaboration between diverse local stakeholders and these partnerships provide examples of how a network of actors, working together, can improve the quality of life of the community. Overall, the Making Space for Nature Grants programme has helped to empowers residents, increase skills and confidence and begin to bring together a group of people engaged in positive change, nurturing a sustainable future at the grassroots level.