The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has created a crowdfunding programme with Spacehive to help local people raise money for projects supporting nature recovery and community participation for the environment.

Community groups can co-fund initiatives that create positive local impact, this could include projects such as habitat restoration, improving biodiversity, green spaces, climate resilience, flood management and neighbourhood-led environmental improvements.

Alongside public donations, businesses and partner organisations can also contribute to help the projects succeed, encouraging collaboration and investment in locally driven environmental initiatives.

The Mayor's Community Nature Fund has £25,000 available

Got a great idea to bring people together or improve your local area? This fund is here to help turn those ideas into reality with a maximum award of up to £6,000 or up to 50% of campaign target.

Projects need to apply by the funding round deadline of <insert date here>. The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority  will then review the projects and decide which they are able to support through the West of England Community Nature Fund. 

• Funding round deadline: 15 September 2026 

• First assessment: Mid October 2026

Groups interested in starting a crowdfunding campaign should join us for our next project creator workshop, where you can find out more and learn how you can start a crowdfunding campaign on Spacehive:

• Online workshop: Monday 13 July 2026, 10-11am

• Register for your free place here

1) Create a project page
Head to spacehive.com/create to get started.
You’ll need to register for an account and share your project idea. 

2) Apply for the Mayor's Community Nature Fund
The Spacehive platform will match you to the Mayoral Combined Authority funds available, based on your project location. Here you will need to answer some questions regarding your project. 

3) Get your project verified

Before you can start crowdfunding, your project is checked to ensure the necessary permissions and governance are in place. You will need to supply quotes for the main cost items in your project budget too. See the help centre here for verification guidance. Remember to add any pre-campaign funds to demonstrate existing support to the project, see the help centre here for guidance.

4) Start crowdfunding
Once your crowdfunding campaign is launched on the Spacehive platform, start raising funds to demonstrate local support. A typical crowdfunding campaign runs for 6-12 weeks. Spacehive offers guidance here to help you achieve your crowdfunding target. If you are successful in receiving Mayoral Community Nature Fund funding, it will be added to your crowdfunding campaign.

5) Hit your target and deliver your project
Projects must hit their crowdfunding target to receive a Mayoral Community Nature Fund donation. Once you hit your crowdfunding target, you’ll receive your funds within a few weeks and you can start delivering your project. 

6) Deliver and complete an impact report

Once crowdfunding is complete, deliver your project within nine months and complete an impact report on Spacehive. This is mandatory and shares your success with backers and the Mayoral Combined Authority.

Support

• For detailed guidance on each step, visit the Spacehive Help Centre

• For any additional questions, please contact Spacehive [email protected]

• For local West of England Mayoral Combined Authority support, please contact [email protected]

The Mayor’s Community Nature Fund: £25,000 available

Maximum award: Up to £6,000 or up to 50% of campaign target

 

The Mayor's Community Nature Fund supports community-led projects that help restore nature, improve biodiversity and strengthen local green spaces across the West of England.

The fund provides grants of up to £6,000 for voluntary and community organisations delivering practical nature recovery projects. The fund is designed to support “small but mighty” community initiatives that reimagine and bring public green spaces to life.

 

Project outcomes could include:

• Habitat improvement

• Tree planting

• Biodiversity enhancement

• Community growing

• Wildlife-friendly land management

• Other activities that create lasting environmental benefits and stronger community networks.

 

Additional requirements

 

• When your project is ready, it will be vetted by Spacehive and the Mayoral Combined Authority to make sure it meets the fund criteria and requirements before going live for crowdfunding.

• Funding will remain open until the £25,000 allocation is fully distributed. Community groups may submit one application at a time through the community crowdfunding programme. 

 

How projects are assessed

To be considered for funding, projects should:
 

• Show clear community support before the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority makes its donations. Approaching other funders early (businesses, foundations, trusts) is recommended.

• Demonstrate strong value for money, sustainability, impact and alignment with the fund objectives.

• Once your campaign has been funded, you’ll have up to nine months to deliver your project and submit your impact report.

.

 

These organisations are eligible to apply for funding:
 

✔ Public bodies (i.e. parish councils, schools supporting their wider community)

✔ Registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)

✔ Community Interest Company (CICs)

✔ Constituted or unincorporated community groups 

 

These organisations are not eligible to apply for funding:

✘ Private, profit-making businesses

✘ Social enterprises

✘ Unitary authorities

✘ Schools

✘ Inclusive faith and religious groups

✘ Housing associations

✘ Projects led by individuals

✘ Projects delivered or run by organisations based outside of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council areas