Aims/priorities: The Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) was first developed in response to the Government’s commitment to provide millions of pounds for planting both large and small trees in and around England’s towns and cities.
Urban trees are said to offer a range of benefits, including temperature moderation, flood risk mitigation, and improved wellbeing – particularly when in close proximity to large populations. The UTCF will contribute to delivering these benefits through the targeted planting thousands of large and small trees and in urban and peri-urban areas.
The UTCF supports planting of large ‘standard’ trees and street trees – making an immediate impact to communities and ensuring other organisations who provide planting for smaller trees can continue to do so. Round 5 of the fund aims to level-up access to nature across the country, planting trees in socially deprived urban areas with low canopy cover, in proximity to healthcare and educational facilities.
The support is being offered on a competitive basis, targeting projects providing the greatest environmental, social and economic benefits to towns and cities across the country.
Who can apply? Applications will be accepted from public bodies, community groups, charities and non-government organisations, individuals and private companies in England.
The applicant must have full management control over the land or signed consent from those with management control over the land. Agents are also able to apply on behalf of an organisation or landowner.
Land included in a UTCF application must fall within an urban area of England. An urban area, as defined for the purposes of the UTCF, is a built up area (based on Office of National Statistics data) with a population of at least 2,000 people, with a buffer of 1km to account for peri-urban planting.
Grant amount: The Fund will now provide 80% funding of standard costs for planting large trees and their establishment costs for three years following planting, compared with funding 50% of standard costs in previous rounds.
In 2023, payments for trial pits have been introduced to check for the presence of services. Agreement holders can complete tree planting over two planting seasons: winter 2023/2024 and winter 2024/25. However, applications received before 30 June 2023 must have at least 50% of tree planting scheduled in 2023/24. There is a minimum application value of £10,000.
Application process: The Urban Tree Challenge Fund Round 5 is open for applications. Those wishing to plant trees in 2023/24 must submit their applications by 30 June 2023 23:59pm.
Those wishing to apply should submit an Expression of Interest and return to UTCF@forestrycommission.gov.uk
Deadline: Friday 30 June 2023 23:59pm/
Contact information: Email: utcf@forestrycommission.gov.uk
Website: Urban Tree Challenge Fund - GOV.UK