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• Local authorities and community partners across the UK invited to apply for grants totalling 15 million.

• Councils will be supported to put green infrastructure at the heart of their plans and priorities, improving the climate resilience of their places and enabling access for all.

• Initiative backed by a new partnership between the National Trust, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural England, working closely with NatureScot, Natural Resources Wales and the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency.

• Seeking further investment?to help Councils and communities achieve their ambitions to create greener, fairer, connected neighbourhoods that give communities pride in their place.

A new initiative announced today will enable at least 100townsandcitiesacross the UK to become better places to live and work, by puttingnatureand green spaces at the heart of their plans and priorities. The initiative is starting in beta phase to enable Councils, communities, partners and funders to shape it together. It aims to attract further investment and support for greener and fairer urban communities, improving peoples health and wellbeing, creating better connected and more climate-resilient neighbourhoods. It will focus on those currently lackingnatureand access to parks and open green space.

Pressure on budgets and competition for urban space has meant thatnature, historic parks and green spaces have been neglected or lost from many neighbourhoods over the last few decades. Many urban communities are suffering the effects limited outdoor spaces to play, relax or socialise and streets that can be too hot, with polluted air or higher flood risk. Latest government data reveals well over 40 million people dont have access to a green space a short walk from home.

NatureTowns&Cities,a new initiative set up by The National Trust, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural England aims to help Councils and communities tackle this by bringingnatureand green space into their urban communities and places. The three organisations are also working closely with NatureScot, Natural Resources Wales and Northern Ireland Environment Agency to take the initiative UK-wide.

Local authorities and their partners, including community and other civic organisations, are invited to apply for capacity-building grants as part of the initiative. From early next year there will also be the opportunity to join a peer network to share learning and practical solutions and take advantage of schemes to attract new investment.

NatureTowns&Citiesbuilds on the legacy of the Future Parks Accelerator, a previous partnership between The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Trust, as well as closely aligning with Natural Englands Green Infrastructure Framework and standards. It will also help local authorities to develop and implement LocalNatureRecovery Strategies, identifying the best opportunities to recovernaturein their urban areas.

From 1 October, local authorities and their community partners will be able to apply for?grants of between 250k to 1million, with The National Lottery Heritage Fund making 15m in funding available UK-wide. Grants have been designed to provide organisations with capacity and headspace to think and plan their urban green space for the long term. Grants will help to develop partnerships, leadership and capability and build the foundations for change, help to attract new income and investment for delivery and sustainability.?

From early 2025, organisations will also be able to connect to a UK-wide network of peers working on similar challenges, sharing answers and expertise to tap into best practice, and unlock the benefits of green spaces andnaturefor residents and communities. The network will serve local government, community organisations, charities and professionals across the UK, with access to a programme of events and training, a library of resources and tailored support.???

Linda Anglin, EdinburghCityCouncil, said:

Rethinking our parks, green spaces and the ways they connect across thecityhas been transformational in Edinburgh over the last 5 years. We were part of the Future Parks Accelerator programme, a precursor to thisNatureTownsandCitiesinitiative, which helped us find new ways of maximisingnatures contribution to the wellbeing of our communities. We are now pioneers of Scotlands firstNatureNetwork. With over 200 actions identified to manage, restore and enhance the urban landscape in Edinburgh, weve seen tangible changes on the ground which are making a difference for both people andnature.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says:

We are delighted to be part of this partnership initiative to ensurenatureis championed across our urban environments and across the UK. It fits with our ambitions to increase our support for strategic projects that help habitats and species thrive, reducing and mitigating the impacts of climate change, while helping people and communities connect to our unique natural heritage and supports our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust said:

There is overwhelming evidence that access to green space improves our mental and physical health and wellbeing. Yet in England well over 40 million people dont have access to green space close to home. Councils are uniquely placed to tackle this, working with their communities and local partners. We understand the difficulties caused by long term cuts to budgets and capacity, and we hope this initiative gives them the inspiration and support they need to improve everyday access tonatureand the outdoors for all.

We have seen from our work over the last decade what amazing results can be achieved by Councils working with their communities and civic partners to bringnatureinto neighbourhoods and across theirtownsandcities. We know many other places have similar ambitions to enhance the lives of their residents, bringing hope and aspiration for their futures and we want to help make these a reality.

Marian Spain, Chief Executive, Natural England said:

Everybody should be able to connect withnaturein their neighbourhood, and that includes people living in urban areas. Improved access to green spaces at the heart of ourtownsandcitiescreates healthier and better places to live which are resilient to climate change, and it provides huge support for peoples mental and physical wellbeing.

NatureTownsandCitieswill offer local authorities and community groups the resources and expertise that they need to bring people closer to the natural environment and give them more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.

For further details onNatureTowns&Cities, please visitnaturetownsandcities.org.uk. Find out more about applying for a granton the Heritage Fund website.??

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

For further information or images please contact xxx

For media queries for Natural England, please contact the Defra Newsdesk team:0330 041 6560newsdesk@defra.gov.uk

For media queries for The National Lottery Heritage Fund, please contact Hannah Dolby07511 216812Hannah.Dolby@heritagefund.org.uk

For media queries for the National Trust, please contact the National Trust Press Office0344 8004955Press.office@nationaltrust.org.uk

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

As the largest dedicated funder of the UKs heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Funds vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan,Heritage 2033.

Over the next ten years, we aim to invest 3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.

We help protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.

We are passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to peoples lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Follow @HeritageFundUK onTwitter,FacebookandInstagramand use #NationalLottery #HeritageFundwww.heritagefund.org.uk

About the National Trust

The

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