Community Nature Recovery Grants 2026-27

Following the success of year one, the Community Nature Recovery Grant is back for the 2026-27 financial year to further support community groups helping to restore habitats and green spaces.

Surrey is rich in nature, with 25% woodland cover making it the most wooded county in the country. Areas of lowland heath, historic parklands and species rich grassland create a vibrant natural landscape loved by resident and visitors alike.

Despite this, nature is still in decline. The 2017 State of Surrey’s Nature report found 11.5% of species were locally extinct, with many more declining due to poor habitat quality and fragmentation.

According to Surrey County Council’s resident insight surveys, nature loss is the most commonly seen impact of climate change already being seen by Surrey residents, followed by disruption to road and rail, and then flooding. Nearly 50% of residents report nature loss locally, whilst over 1/3 have seen flooding and transport disruption.

The loss and fragmentation of habitats is not just detrimental to wildlife. It can have severe knock-on effects from reducing the capacity of landscapes to hold back water during episodes of heavy rain which leads to destructive flooding, to lowering access to quality green spaces which are crucial for human health and wellbeing.

In response, Surrey County Council published the first Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) on 31 March 2026, following two years of engagement. It sets out the priorities and actions needed to reverse nature loss and create a more connected, thriving landscape.

Engagement showed strong community appetite to act, with many projects already underway. To support this grassroots movement, the Surrey Community Nature Recovery Grant launched in November 2025, funding 29 projects across the county. The grant covered recovery action, the purchase of tools as well as training and capacity building, to help these great organisations, often run by volunteers, continue. The projects included bat and bird boxes, tools to manage grassland, water testing kits, creation of community gardens, amphibian fencing, and so much more.

From 1st June 2026, the second year of the Community Nature Recovery Grant application window will open. The aim remains the same, to support community groups and grassroots action as a key delivery mechanism of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Your community group may be eligible to take part in the Community Nature Recovery Grant. For further information please see the guidance pack with links to the online application form at the bottom of this page. Any questions can be sent to greenerfutures@surreycc.gov.uk

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Below is a snapshot of the impact of last year’s grants and some of the measures implemented, many of which provide long-term support for key Surrey species and habitats.

Who Can Apply?

This micro-grant is available to community groups, NGOs (on behalf of community groups), parish and town councils, local action groups and species recording groups.

Between 20-30 groups will be selected for this pilot

How Much Funding Is Available?

The maximum amount of funding available per group is £5,000, including any VAT costs that cannot be claimed back. You can request funding between £1,000 and £5,000 (1 or 2 high impact projects may be considered up to £10,000)

You must complete the budget breakdown as accurately as possible and provide quotes or evidence of costs up front (as instructed in the Application Guidance) to be considered for funding.

Application Deadline

You can apply from Monday 1st June, when the grant funding window opens. The application window closes on Sunday 19th July 2026.

Receipt of Payment

We will aim to transfer funds within 2 weeks of you being notified of a successful application.

If you have an existing SCC Vendor Number then please include in your application to ensure payment is made quickly. Note that if you are not an existing SCC Vendor, you will need to be set up via the Vendor Registration process to enable the transfer of funds, which may delay the payment process slightly.

Completion of Works

All work must be completed by March 31st 2027. If there is a risk of work not being completed before this deadline, you must make SCC aware as early as possible.

Reporting Requirements

Groups awarded funding will be required to submit an impact report. You will receive a link to a feedback form to complete.

Final reporting must be submitted no later than Friday 5th March 2027.

If for any reason the works are not completed or you will not have been able to finalise your reporting by the reporting deadline, you must notify SCC as far in advance as possible.

Documentation Required

If you are awarded grant funding, you will need to provide the following documents before the funds can be paid:

– Proof of indemnity insurance (where relevant)
– Bank details on signed letter head
– Written acknowledgement of landlord permissions if required
– Return of a signed copy of SCC’s Grant Funding Agreement (this will be emailed to you on notification of a successful application)

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APPLICATION FORM: Application Form for Community Nature Recovery Grant 2026 to 2027 – Complete this form

GUIDANCE PACK: Download Community Nature Recovery Guidance Pack