Over £300,000 has been made available to groups looking to engage urban communities through nature, under a programme led by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

SNH is involved in scheme as part of its ongoing efforts to expand access to green spaces and encourage people throughout Scotland to feel more connected with nature. Funding will come from the £500,000 Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund, managed by SNH as part of the Scotland’s European Regional Development Fund Programme.

Following the first round of applications last year, SNH granted £190,000 to six projects benefiting urban communities across the Central Belt. The projects are all designed to involve people and groups within the community, with an emphasis on helping people see the value of their local green spaces in different ways: for example a project in Cumbernauld aims to increase physical activity and reduce feelings of social isolation amongst those at risk of mental health by encouraging them to volunteer.

Other projects include getting people involved in rewilding green spaces around Glasgow and the Clyde Valley, and increasing the numbers and types of people visiting The Hidden Gardens in Glasgow’s Southside.

Mike Cantlay, SNH chair, said: “We are always looking for ways to not just make green spaces more attractive and accessible but to encourage people and communities to see the value in improving their local green spaces. Getting out into nature makes people happier, healthier, and more connected to other people in their community. And there are also benefits to local economies: research has shown regular access to nature helps people develop skills and the confidence to seek and find jobs.

“The projects we saw last year set a high bar and we were delighted to see the enthusiasm people had for engaging with their local communities. We look forward to receiving what’s sure to be an equally imaginative set of applications this year. For example, given that 2018 is the Year of Young People, projects may want to think about how to better involve their local youth.”

To be eligible for funding, projects must:

Applications must be submitted by the 3 April 2018. Further details on eligibility criteria, guidance on how to apply, and details of Q&A sessions for potential applicants are available on SNH’s Green Infrastructure website: www.greeninfrastructurescotland.org.uk.