Please see below details of our Landscape Grant Fund. This is open all year round to community groups and organisations who are making a difference to and/or enjoying the landscapes of Cumbria. 

• Grant awards of up to £1,000 are available for landscape enhancements.
• Larger awards of up to £2,000 will be considered but you will need to contact us prior to application.
• Grant awards of up to £500 are available for events. We will require applicants to have 25% of match funding – cash or volunteer time.
• Projects must demonstrate a clear and positive benefit to the landscape of Cumbria.
• Projects must be located in Cumbria.
• There are no application deadlines as the grant is open all year round.

Our grants in the past have covered broad areas. The most important thing is that they must contribute to the landscape and its enjoyment in some way. We are interested in projects that:

• improve or enhance the landscape, flora, fauna and cultural heritage of Cumbria
• research, restore, raise awareness of cultural or historic features or assets
• improve opportunities for people to connect with the landscape, access and enjoy the area, especially for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to do so, or projects to improve health and wellbeing in the outdoors
• research, interpret, celebrate or raise awareness of the special qualities of the area in a sensitive and appropriate manner
• promote participation in traditional rural skills
• involve the local community or volunteers
• make the county and its communities more sustainable so there are less landscape impacts.

Examples of projects that may qualify for a Landscape Grant

• Hedgerows: includes planting, laying and maintenance
• Walls: renewal and repair of dry-stone walls, new walls instead of fences, etc
• Tree planting & woodlands: native tree planting in woodlands, public spaces, schools etc as well as conversion from coniferous to native broadleaved; initial moves to more active woodland management.
• Path/Access/Bridges: includes repairs, new pathways, disability access and new access gates.
• Landscape and wildlife gardens: includes sensory, environmental awareness and community gardens.
• Cultural heritage features: includes restoration of features such as pumps, wells, cobbles, limekilns, cast iron signposts, pinfolds, etc.
• Landscape restoration and enhancement: enhancement to landscape areas such as bogs and moors, coastal areas, woodland (see above), village greens, ponds, other village areas, common land, with benefits to flora and fauna.
• Climate change mitigation or sustainability projects, eg tree planting, habitat restoration
• Events: informative events, walks, displays, etc which connect people to the landscape in some way (e.g. by focusing on landscape, flora and fauna, land management or celebrating local events and cultural heritage). Events/activities will be encouraged which increase understanding about the countryside/natural environment; encourage access to the countryside for everyone; give an opportunity for people to visit a place they would not normally go, and may contribute to health and wellbeing. Please note that priority will be given to landscape enhancement projects rather than events

What we will not fund

• Individual applicants.
• Applicants with no bank account or formal terms of reference.
• Core costs such as staff time, office rent and equipment, etc. plus accommodation and food.
• Works on private land where there is no public access
• Works which are statutory requirements, eg footpath maintenance
• Retrospective works.
• Ongoing maintenance, eg grass cutting
• Village halls or other community buildings unless clear cultural heritage significance.
• Applicants who have a bad track record (financial management, project delivery)
• Projects or applicants which conflict with FLD policy principles, eg permanent fell fencing, infrastructure in the open countryside, large scale development.
• Grants for land purchase by other organisations
• Non cast iron signposts.
• Children’s playgrounds.
• Grants for a repeat project, e.g. extension of a project already funded. We will consider fund applicants more than once for different projects, but priority will be given to new applicants.
• Projects eligible for funding from public sources, eg Countryside Stewardship.
• Capital purchases for equipment
• More than one application per year from the same applicant.

In order to be eligible for a grant, your project must:

• Be located within the Lake District and Cumbria;
• Meet FLD’s primary aim of conserving and enhancing the landscape of the Lake District and Cumbria, and/or
• Enable people to connect with/enjoy the landscape.
• Be accessible to the public.
• You or your organisation must have a bank account and formal terms of reference.
• Demonstrate at least 25% match funding – cash or in kind (time, equipment, volunteers etc).
• Show clear legacy in the long term, in relation to how it will be maintained and resourced, and how it will ensure future protection and enhancement of the local landscape.
• Have consent of the landowner and relevant permissions if needed, eg planning.
• Acknowledge the support of Friends of the Lake District in all promotion and publicity (evidence needed).
• Your project must not be a continuation of work already done or your event held before.

Applying for a Landscape Grant

• You'll need to download and complete an application form. If you’d like to discuss your project before completing the form please do not hesitate to contact us for an informal chat.
• You'll need to download and complete an application form. If you’d like to discuss your project before completing the form please do not hesitate to contact us for an informal chat. Speak to Jan Darrall on 01539 720788 or email [email protected]
• LANDSCAPE GRANT APPLICATION FORM (Word)

Additional information

• Landscape Grant Guidance (PDF)
• Reporting Template (Word)
• (For completion and submission at the end of your project)

More details on the grant are available at : https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/Pages/Category/landscape-grants

A downloadable leaflet is available as attached.