Grant Aid

Natural Heritage Grant Aid

THE PROGRAMME IS CLOSED FOR ALL GRANTS

EXCEPT

• Small grants relating to the Ulster Way
• Mourne AONB access grants. See www.ni-environment.gov.uk/landscape/grant/mourne-access.htm

*Applications for structured environmental education programmes that were submitted to EEF by Friday 1st August 2008 must be submitted to NIEA by Wednesday 17th September 2008.

The small grants programme is normally open for submissions throughout the year.  It will however be closed to applications between 1st September 2008 and 31st January 2009.

Expected dates for reopening:

• Grants under £10 000 - January 2009 (for projects commencing after March 2009)
• Grants over £10 000 - May 2009 (for projects commencing from April 2010)

Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) administers the Natural Heritage Grant Programme (NHGP) to support projects in Northern Ireland to:

Encourage the conservation and enhancement of key elements of the environment and its wildlife, and the provision of facilities which help as wide a range of people as possible to enjoy and appreciate our natural heritage.

Grant applications are invited from a wide range of organisations, although some grant categories are restricted to certain sectors such as District Councils.

Assessment timetable for grants submitted Autumn 2008

The targets for assessment of large applications are as follows but will depend on the number of applications received.

• Complete Assessments - November 2008
• Group Review - December 2008
• Decisions where DFP approval not required  - January 2009
• Decisions where DFP approval required  - February 2009

Interim/Post Project Evaluation Form - Grantee

The Interim/Post Project Evaluation form (.doc 313KB) should be submitted alongside your grant application if you are applying to continue a project (including core funding) that the Natural Heritage Grant's Programme is already supporting.  This evaluation will form part of the assessment of whether future funding will be awarded.

Advice

You are encouraged to discuss your proposals for a project (and core funding proposals) with a relevant member of Natural Heritage Staff prior to preparing an application.  They will be able to give you an INDICATION of what elements of a project MAY be eligible for grant aid and whether your proposals may need further consideration.  NHGP staff can also give advice on the eligibility of specific schemes and advice on the completion of the application form and any post project evaluation of previous projects.   The final decision will always depend upon the assessment of the completed application and the availability of finance. No firm indication can be assumed unless you receive a formal letter of offer.

Who Can Apply?

• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)/Voluntary Bodies whose aims include conservation, and access to the countryside amongst their objectives
• Schools
• Local Councils

Individuals will only be considered where the funding will directly contribute to a habitat or species action plan, or if there is direct public benefit meeting the objectives of the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (NI) Order 1985. Such applications must not be eligible for other government grants

Application Forms & Guidance Notes for 2008

We prefer to receive applications by e-mail to nhgrants@doeni.gov.uk . The nhgp_2008_niea_application_form-3.doc is now available.  A text only version of the guidance notes (pdf 357KB) is available for download.  If you are unable to download these documents, please contact the NHGP staff at the address below.

NHGP staff are available to help applicants with queries and can be contacted at:

NIEA Natural Heritage Grants Programme
Klondyke Building
Cromac Avenue
Gasworks Business Park
Lower Ormeau Road
Belfast BT7 2JA

Tel: 028 9056 9600

E-mail: nhgrants@doeni.gov.uk