The Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme is now permanently open for applications from a wide range of community groups, schools, local authorities and organisations. Bags of Help will now see the money raised by the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores in England, Wales and Scotland opened up to a greater range of projects that support community participation in the development and use of open spaces.

 

Projects that will now get the green light as a result of the funding include volunteer training, physical improvements of open spaces, equipment purchases, community events and sports and leisure activities.

 

Following a public vote in Tesco stores, three projects in each of the 200 Tesco regions will receive a grant each month, with first place receiving up to £5K, second place up to £2K and third place up to £1K.

 

Bags of Help is administered by Groundwork, working in Scotland with greenspace scotland, and funded by Tesco customers from the proceeds of the 5p charge for plastic carrier bags. It will fund projects that benefit communities by activating or physically improving open and green spaces that do not charge for access.

 

There are also some other exciting changes. The funding is open to a wide range of groups for projects that that support community participation in the development and use of open spaces. This includes physical improvements and activities on outdoor spaces, green spaces and parks. There is no match funding requirement and no restrictions on existing project funding.

 

The grants programme is open to organisations such as: voluntary/community organisations, registered charities, health bodies, Parish/Town councils, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies, schools, hospices, community councils, local authorities and housing organisations. Other not-for-profit organisations might also be eligible.

 

Projects that would typically receive funding include:

 

• Parks, pocket parks and urban green spaces
• Green corridors – river and canals, cycle ways
• Formal and informal play areas
• Open access sports facilities within public parks and recreation grounds – eg. football pitches, tennis courts and cricket pitches
• Informal outdoor recreation facilities, eg. gym equipment, trim trails and woodland walks
• Nature reserves, community woodland, ponds and village greens
• Churchyards
• Seafront improvements
• Community allotments, community gardens, orchards and city farms
• Spaces in the grounds of hospices and day centres
•  Allotments
• School grounds
• Community spaces on housing estates or residential areas

 

Full eligibility criteria and detailed application guidance is available online. There is a team of Community Enablers that can provide support or advice when submitting your application.

 

More Information

 

Groundwork website - Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme