Funding for environmental projects available now

Are you looking for funding to develop a project that will improve the environment? The Landfill Disposal Tax Communities Scheme is now open for applications.

WCVA is pleased to announce the seventh round of the Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme (LDTCS) is now accepting applications for grants of between £5,000 and £49,999 for projects beginning from March 2022.

The closing date for applications is 23 January 2022 at 23:59. Don’t be late!

The LDTCS funds projects with a focus on:

• biodiversity
• waste minimisation and the reduction of waste to landfill, and
• wider environmental enhancements.

If you have a project idea which would benefit the community and the local environment, check out your eligibility by visiting the LDTCS webpage and using the map.

WHAT LDTCS HAS ACHIEVED ACROSS WALES

The previous six rounds of LDTCS have funded some great projects which are making positive environmental enhancements in their local area with the support of the community. From repairing and repurposing unwanted bikes to reinforcing the pine marten population.

MERTHYR’S ROOTS GARDENING PROJECT

British Institute for Geological Conservation (BIGC) were awarded a significant grant under the ‘wider environmental enhancement’ theme, creating a unique project they named Merthyr’s Roots Gardening Project.

The mission was to take a neglected greenhouse and transform it into a vibrant garden space. The space would serve as a learning hub offering to educate local communities and schools about local heritage and global environmental issues.

Their greenhouse space was like a jungle overgrown and out of control. The roof and many panes of glass were broken. None of the environmental controls worked.

The area has now been transformed. Where possible the infrastructure has been fixed and the space can function as a community venue once again.

OPERATING DURING THE PANDEMIC

Even though the group was not able to open the building to the public for the most part, the project adapted and worked closely with community groups. Disability groups used the greenhouse garden as a focus for their work, training and socialising. Maintenance of the garden was undertaken by the resident Outdoor Project Team – A group of local adults with learning difficulties and special needs.

BIGC were able to provide meaningful training to clients and volunteers. Offering work experience opportunities for their disability group participants – readying them for the workplace and allowing volunteers from the local community to get experience in a heritage and education setting.

LOOKING FORWARD

BIGC set a goal for interacting with schools, community members and special interest groups, holding several workshops and other activities. Due to restrictions these interactions have been limited, but with the greenhouse reopening, they hope to expand considerably and provide excursions and events for schools.

The project has been a showcase of what is achievable, really establishing itself as a cornerstone of heritage and environmental education in Merthyr.

The past year has been tough for everyone but the Merthyr’s Roots project has been a success and the activities have been beneficial for all staff and attendees mental health and physical wellbeing.

STEPHANIE’S STORY: ‘IT WAS A LIFESAVER’

Before the start of the project, Stephanie had visited the greenhouse complex as tourist, knowing little of the area or its history. Working in Cardiff in an office job, the one day a week Stephanie worked with BIGC was her opportunity to get out of the city regularly and keep her hand in with environmental science.

With the COVID-19 pandemic Stephanie, like many others, was forced to work at home and her work became more online and virtual. Living and working at home with no garden and being unable to travel began to take its toll, and with the start of the Merthyr’s Roots project postponed Stephanie started to feel somewhat trapped.

Fortunately, knowing the pressure and time sensitive nature of the project and the much-anticipated benefits to people in real need during the pandemic, BIGC’s project manager was granted Key Worker status by Merthyr Council’s Social Services Department. This allowed Stephanie to travel to Merthyr to commence work on the project.

A TEMPORARY RESPITE

For Stephanie, having an opportunity to get out of Cardiff and to experience a temporary respite from being stuck at home was such a relief. While many in more rural parts of Wales used their gardens and the great outdoors more creatively and more frequently during the pandemic, not everyone had access to nature.

Being able to leave Cardiff for a few days a week to see fresh sights and experience different activities was a much-needed release from the drudgery and monotony of lockdown. Having a focus for the mind and something energetic and physical to do was great. ‘It was a lifesaver’ says Stephanie.

HOW TO APPLY

We receive a high number of applications which makes the funding process very competitive. If you would like support and guidance in the development of a project you can contact your local County Voluntary Council.

In order to submit a request for funding, you will need to register with WCVA’s Multipurpose Application Portal (MAP). If you have previously registered with MAP, you can log in by entering your username and password on the home screen.

Organisations can register by visiting the website map.wcva.cymru.

If you need help registering on MAP, please follow this video.

If you have any questions about LDTCS please get in touch with the WCVA grants team at ldtgrants@wcva.cymru.

 

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