The Lincolnshire Wolds Grant Scheme

The Lincolnshire Wolds Grant Scheme provides funding for groups and businesses to assist in delivering projects that directly benefit the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape (NL), a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Projects must demonstrate benefit for the Lincolnshire Wolds NL. Whilst most grants are for projects within the Lincolnshire Wolds NL, they can occasionally offer a grant to a project outside the NL if it shows a clear, direct positive benefit to the NL. Please follow this link to the Lincolnshire Wolds website to check the boundary. They can fund one element of a larger project if other elements are funded by someone else.

Projects must show sustainability and wherever possible demonstrate innovation or good practice. The Grant Scheme aims to sustain the social wellbeing and economic viability of communities within the Lincolnshire Wolds. It will also seek to conserve and enhance the local characteristics of culture, wildlife, landscape, land use and community.

Projects must support the Lincolnshire Wolds Management Plan and meet at least one of the following aims:-

• To conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the NL, including the built environment.
• To create, recover or enhance the biodiversity of the NL.
• To promote sustainable forms of social and economic development in the NL.
• To promote the economic and social well-being of local communities.
• To promote quiet enjoyment of the NL.
• To raise awareness of the NL.
• To encourage sustainable uses of natural resources.
• To help build climate change resilience – via climate change mitigation and/or adaption.

Grants of anywhere from £100 to £10,000 are available.

However the higher amount would be exceptional due to the limited funds available.

Up to 85% of the total project costs may be available for voluntary and community projects.

For all other organisations, businesses, public bodies and local authorities a maximum grant of 60% may be available.

Any group, organisation or business with a bank account and an e-mail address can apply for funding.

What can’t be funded?

• Work that has already been started or undertaken.
• Work that can be funded via other, more suitable avenues.
• Items that are mobile or could be used for other purposes, e.g. generators, laptops, mowers, etc.
• Requirements by law, e.g. a statutory obligation or requirement of planning permission.
• Work outside the NL if there is no clear, direct link or benefit to the NL.
• Projects that do not have the necessary permission.
• Work that forms part of a state-aided grant scheme.
• Work that cannot be completed within any current financial year.

Applications are assessed continually, with the Grant Scheme closing to new applicants on the 31st December 2025, or before if all available funds have been allocated.

Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape