Five UK environmental funding opportunities have application deadlines between 25 October and 2 November 2026. Some could still be realistic if your project is already planned and ready to submit. Others may be better treated as opportunities to prepare for a future funding round. The details below will help you prioritise where to spend your time.
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01 / Young people & nature
Our Local Nature Grants, The Linnean Society
Who are they?
The Linnean Society is the world's oldest active biological society. This small grants scheme backs young people to connect with nature in their own area.
What are they funding?
Up to £1,000 per proposal, with recent awards ranging from £150 to £1,000. Individuals or organisations linked to a group of young people anywhere in the UK can apply, including school staff, community groups and small charities. You need to show evidence of that link.
Funding covers materials, room hire, speakers, training, contractors and transport, with project staff costs and refreshments together kept under half of the grant.
Salaries, general running costs and spending that has already happened are not covered.
Projects in London fall under a separate London Wave strand, which also needs to address water and blue infrastructure.
Apply: Complete the online form at The Linnean Society . For another format, email learning@linnean.org .
Alira Arts tip
Awards are chosen by a Youth Panel of 16 to 18 year olds, so write for them, not for a grants officer. Show that young people shaped the idea rather than simply taking part in it. A short, vivid, specific project will beat a polished but generic one here.
02 / Trees & green space
Trees Outside Woodland Fund, The Tree Council
Who are they?
The Tree Council is the UK charity that coordinates tree planting and care across the country. This fund supports the government's goal of raising England's tree canopy cover from 14.5 percent to 16.5 percent by 2050.
What are they funding?
£10,000 to £40,000 for trees and supporting capital items outside established woodland, to create or improve green spaces. That can include hedgerows, street trees and community green spaces, using a range of tree sizes, species and planting types.
Projects must be in England. Eligible applicants are English local authorities and registered charities delivering in England with an annual income above £100,000.
Important: Applications are reviewed in the order they arrive. The fund may close early if fully allocated.
Apply: Read the application guidance and FAQs, then submit through the online form at The Tree Council . Questions to grants@treecouncil.org.uk .
Alira Arts tip
Because applications are reviewed in order and the fund can close early, submit as soon as you're ready rather than using every day up to the deadline. Check the £100,000 income threshold first. It rules out smaller charities straight away, and a partnership with a local authority may be the better route if you sit under it.
03 / Community energy
Orchard Community Energy Fund
Who are they?
Orchard Community Energy runs a community benefit fund that backs charities delivering environmental and social outcomes together.
What are they funding?
Projects delivered in 2027 and 2028 that bring an environmental benefit alongside a social one. Applicants must be registered charities, and each application needs to meet at least two of the fund's social and environmental criteria.
For the first time, funding can cover two years as well as one.
Check eligibility: The main page does not state the grant size or eligible geographic area. Confirm both in the 2026 guide.
Apply: Read the 2026 guide for applicants and complete the 2026 application form at Orchard Community Energy . Their phone number is on the same page for questions.
Alira Arts tip
The main page doesn't state the grant size or where the fund can be spent, so read the 2026 guide before you decide whether to apply. Don't assume your area qualifies. A quick phone call to check geography costs ten minutes and could save you a full application.
04 / Tropical rainforests
Tropical Rainforests Programme, The Waterloo Foundation
Who are they?
The Waterloo Foundation is a Welsh family foundation that funds work across child development, health, the environment and international development. Its Environment programme includes a dedicated strand on tropical rainforests.
What are they funding?
Most Environment grants are £100,000 to £150,000 spread over several years, usually up to five. The programme supports preventing tropical deforestation, protecting intact rainforest and safeguarding community forest rights.
It prioritises UK-based charities, many of which work with smaller local organisations in the countries where the work happens. This is not a fund for ordinary UK tree planting.
Decision times
A first review usually takes two to three months, with a decision around six months from submission.
Apply: There is no application form. Send a proposal of about two to three sides of A4 by email to applications@waterloofoundation.org.uk , stating that you are applying under the Environment programme, Tropical Rainforests. Full instructions at The Waterloo Foundation .
Alira Arts tip
The short proposal format makes this faster to apply for than most funds of this size, but short means every sentence has to work. Lead with evidence of past results and sustained impact, since the Foundation may ask for full supporting data afterwards. If you've been funded by them before, contact them before applying. And only one application per organisation can be considered at a time.
05 / Local environment
Liverpool Bay CCS Community Benefit Fund, Cheshire Community Foundation
Who are they?
Cheshire Community Foundation is the local grant maker managing this fund, which is a community benefit programme linked to the Liverpool Bay carbon capture and storage project.
What are they funding?
Up to £20,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months across three themes: education, the local environment, and local heritage and culture. A project can cover more than one theme.
Registered charities and recognised not-for-profit organisations can apply, and the funder expects to make several smaller grants rather than a few large ones.
Eligible areas are wards around Chester, Ellesmere Port, Frodsham and Neston, with Gowy Rural and Saughall and Mollington as priority wards. Projects in Flintshire, Wales go through Community Foundation Wales.
Geographic eligibility: Check the published list of eligible wards before applying. Flintshire applications are handled separately through Community Foundation Wales.
Apply: Submit online through Cheshire Community Foundation after reading the full programme brief.
Alira Arts tip
Check your project's ward against the eligible list before anything else, and mention a priority ward if you work in one. Because the fund expects to make several smaller awards, a tightly costed request at a few thousand pounds will often sit more comfortably than a maximum ask.
Have an environmental project in mind?
Whether you're planning a nature recovery project, developing a community sustainability initiative or exploring funding opportunities, we'd love to hear what you're working on.
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