A £2m fund has opened for applications to support community-led environmental projects across south-west England. South West Water (SWW) said the Nature Recovery Fund is designed to deliver “tangible, community-led improvements” to local nature and water quality.
The fund will back environmental partnerships and volunteer programmes across Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly, and parts of Dorset served by SWW’s wastewater services. Projects could include initiatives to enhance biodiversity, restore rivers and landscapes, and improve water management in local communities.
Susan Davy, CEO of Pennon, said the fund represents “another step forward” and ensures the recovery is “shared by nature, by people, and by place.” She added: “Across the South West, my teams and I have met so many passionate people with a deep connection to the places they live, and this fund is about backing them to make a real difference. More than 200 people have already joined our briefings to share their ideas and I’m excited to see those projects come to life.”
SWW highlighted that the fund will also support collaborative projects for rainwater harvesting, catchment management, and community rainwater storage. Applicants can apply for small grants of up to £10,000 or large grants of up to £250,000. All applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest, with successful candidates then invited to submit a full application.
The Nature Recovery Fund is part of a wider effort to encourage community involvement in environmental restoration while improving biodiversity, local pride, and water quality across the region
