Urban Tree Challenge Fund FAQs
The Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) has reopened as part of the Government’s Nature for Climate Fund. The fund is supporting the planting of 44,000 large ‘standard’ trees over a two-year period.
The Urban Tree Challenge Fund applicant’s proposals will be scored and ranked. Funding will be awarded to projects that provide the greatest social and environmental benefits to an area. Additional points will be awarded to applicants that also show value for money.
The UTCF is another grant for businesses awarded by the government. Other business grants they’ve provided recently include council business grants, start-up business grants and grants for charities.
What’s available?
Individual funding applicants will need a minimum UTCF funding requirement of £10,000 up to £30,000. The guideline for block bids is a minimum UTCF funding requirement of £250,000.
The funding supports the:
- Cost of buying a tree
- Planting in grass
- Cost of basic protection
- Labour required to plant it.
The fund will be used to contribute 50% of the cost of tree planting and three years of establishment. The remaining 50% will need to be secured via match funding.
Who can apply?
The Urban Tree Challenge Fund is now on its third round of funding. It’s open to both block bids and individual applications.
What are block bids?
A block bid is designed for organisations to apply for funding for multiple projects. They can be geographically dispersed or focused in one area but submitted under one application.
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply for the Urban Tree Challenge Fund if you either have:
- Full management control over the land or
- Signed consent from those with management control over the land for the duration of the agreement.
You can apply on behalf of an organisation or a landowner. Any organisation or landowner can submit up to two applications. Multiple applications from one applicant will be ranked and scored independently from one another.
If you need assistance when applying for the UTCF, consider outsourcing to a Grant Writing Consultant. They can help you write your proposal or write it on your behalf helping you bid for funding effectively. They understand what a buyer is looking for in a proposal for grant funding.
How can I apply?
You will need to submit an application form online and submit a map identifying the areas proposed for planting.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline closes at 23:59 on 25th July 2021.
Advice and best practice
The Forestry Commission won’t provide technical advice for your application. It’s up to you to source expert advice from a competent person to ensure your proposal meets best practice. Examples could include:
- National Association of Tree Officers
- Institute of Chartered Forests
- London Tree Officer’s Association
- Municipal Tree Officers Association
- Arboricultural Association.
Need help with writing your grant application?
Our Grant Writing Service is for businesses who want to start applying for grants, but don’t know where to begin. If you don’t have the resources or the time in-house to write a winning grant – we can help. Our Grant Writers have over 60 years of experience in bidding for funding and grants. They can take care of the whole thing for you – they’ll even submit it on your behalf.
Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow!
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Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:
- How a Grant Writing Consultant can help your business
- Innovate UK grants
- Start-up business grants
- Business grants in the UK
- How to apply for a government grant
- Working with Grant Writers
- Bidding for funding
- Council business grants
- Government funding
- Grant writing help
- And many more.
