Greater Manchester Environment Trust

Greater Manchester Environment Trust (GMET), established in 2019 as the UK's first regional environmental impact fund through a partnership between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Lancashire Wildlife Trust, drives lasting improvements in the region's natural environment to combat habitat loss, poor air quality, and climate change, aligning with the Mayor's vision for carbon neutrality by 2038. Rooted in values of inclusivity, evidence-based action, sustainability, and partnership, GMET emphasises community-led initiatives that enhance access to nature-rich green and blue spaces for health, wellbeing, and resilience, particularly in deprived areas with low nature access, while pioneering sustainable finance models like habitat banking and carbon mitigation.

It funds thematic priorities via two flagship programmes: the Green Spaces Fund, supporting community gardens, orchards, wildlife habitats, sponge meadows for flood resilience, blue spaces, social prescribing, ecotherapy, and education (e.g., school gardens and park restorations); and the Renew Community Fund, targeting waste reduction, recycling, reuse, fixing, mending, and circular economy practices. Grants back grassroots projects delivering multi-benefit outcomes, community co-design, and links to regional climate goals, benefiting underserved communities through volunteering and engagement.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, schools, and academic institutions delivering projects exclusively in Greater Manchester's ten boroughs, with a preference for small/medium grassroots organisations in high-deprivation areas; established UK bank accounts are required. Typical grants range £2,000–£20,000 (up to £40,000), covering project costs like materials, limited staff (up to 15%), and short-term maintenance—no core funding. Unsolicited applications via online Flexi-Grant portal during windows only: Renew Community Fund opens 22 April 2025, closes noon 30 May 2025 (decisions August); Green Spaces Round 7 in spring 2026. Distinctively, GMET blends philanthropic grants with green investments to leverage broader funding, excluding non-regional or non-environmental projects, for transformative, policy-aligned impact.