South Norfolk in Bloom fund

Applications will close Sunday 19 April.

This year, we are launching the South Norfolk in Bloom Fund, giving parishes and towns the chance to transform green spaces, plant vibrant flowers and create wonderful new habitats for bees, butterflies, birds and other wildlife.

For every pound parish and town councils spend, we will match it. With around 150,000 residents in South Norfolk, that means up to £150,000 could be invested in making our district bloom! That’s a huge amount of potential colour, nature and community pride.

From wildflower verges and pollinator gardens to refreshed village greens and stunning displays in our towns, this initiative invites every parish to dream big and grow something special.

What is an In Bloom Grant?

In Bloom is a discretionary grant scheme designed to support towns, parishes and community groups across South Norfolk in delivering projects that enhance the visual appeal of their communities, encourage the growing of produce, and promote wildlife and biodiversity. With £1 available for every resident, we have an incredible opportunity to make South Norfolk bloom, for nature, for wellbeing and for future generations.

What will the grant support?

Visual Enhancements - Projects that improve the appearance of public spaces (e.g., floral displays, landscaping, public art with planting schemes).

Community Growing Produce - Initiatives to start or expand community gardens, allotments, or edible planting in public spaces, encouraging local food production.

Wildlife and Biodiversity - Actions to increase habitats for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife; wildflower meadows; pond creation; and biodiversity education.

Projects should also:

• Demonstrate how they would maintain and look after plants after the project has been completed
• Have landowner permission
• Deliver within 12 months of grant approval
• Provide at least 50% of the total project cost
• Have read and considered priorities from the South Norfolk Council Biodiversity Strategy
• Be in South Norfolk

Who can apply?

Grants are available to Town and Parish Councils as well as constituted community groups with a bank account in South Norfolk.

• Operate within South Norfolk area on a not-for-profit basis
• Can provide a clear statement of aims and objectives
• Can show their ability to manage and deliver the project or activity
• Can show how they will manage their finances and keep good financial records
• Accept the principle of equal opportunities and can demonstrate their commitment to inclusiveness within their project.

In Bloom Grants cannot support:

• Retrospective funding (activities that have already happened)
• Activities that duplicate what is already provided or commissioned by the council, unless demand cannot be met
• Paid staff costs
• Activities restricted solely to any group's existing membership
• Political or religious activities
• Organisational or running costs not directly related to the specific project activities

Successful Projects Must Note:

• Project grants will be paid in advance, projects may be asked to provide evidence of expenditure
• Successful applicants will be expected to acknowledge the support and involvement of South Norfolk Council in any communications regarding the project, as well as on all relevant marketing or promotional materials
• We reserve the right to visit any grant recipient to ensure the grant has been used for the purpose stated in the Offer Letter, inspect records to show that costs have been evidenced and make a formal assessment of the impact of the project
• All grant applications must have a separate confirmation of bank details to evidence that they are valid. This evidence must be a copy (paper copy, photo, scanned picture) of either a paying in slip or header of a bank statement.

Applications will close Sunday 19 April.

Please send your completed application form and evidence of bank details to prideinplace@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk