Small Eco Awards funding for environmental projects

Funding of £300 to £20,000 is available for environmental sustainability projects across Northern Ireland

The Small Eco Awards programme, delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund, provides grants ranging from £300 to £20,000 for projects where environmental sustainability is the primary objective. Funding supports local action that helps address climate and nature challenges while delivering benefits within communities.

Eligible projects should:

• help people connect with and care for nature in their local area
• make a positive difference to the environment
• help people tackle pollution in their communities

What funding can be used for

The funding can support a range of environmental activities, including:

• starting a new activity that aligns with the programme priorities
• continuing an existing activity that meets the funding criteria
• helping an organisation, community, or both adapt to new challenges
• delivering one-off events with a clear environmental benefit

Eligible project locations

Funding is available for projects based in:

• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

Eligible organisations

Applications are open to the following types of organisations:

• constituted voluntary or community organisations
• constituted groups or clubs
• registered charities
• charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs)
• not-for-profit companies
• community interest companies (CICs)
• schools where the project benefits the wider community, not solely the school
• sports groups where the project is open to the wider community
• statutory bodies, including local authorities, town councils, parish councils and community councils
• community benefit societies

Apply for Small Eco Awards funding.

First published 30 July 2026