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Nature Recovery Fund

Nature based solutions

About the fund

We're launching a £2 million Nature Recovery Fund to support local community groups with a focus on the environment. This fund will be available across the region to deliver tangible, community-led improvements to nature and water quality.

This new opportunity to invest in nature, water and people arises from the £24m package of enforcement measures approved by Ofwat following an investigation into failures at wastewater treatment works and networks.

The South West Water Nature Recovery Fund offers two levels of grants that will run in parallel with each other to support a wide range of project sizes and organisations.

  • Small grants – up to £10,000
  • Large grants – up to £250,000

Application window 7th November 2025 – 31st January 2026 

young trees growing in a field as part of a tree planting project
Priorities of the Fund
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1. Deliver measurable biodiversity and/or water quality improvements

  • This may include:
    • Habitat restoration
    • Pond restoration
    • Tree planting
    • Other catchment-based environmental schemes
water butt installed outside a home collecting rainwater from the roof
Priorities of the Fund
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2. Deliver Natural Flow Management

  • This may include:
    • Rainwater harvesting, installation of water butts, natural flow management and shared rainwater storage systems.
a group of volunteers participating in a tree planting project
Priorities of the Fund
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3. Strengthen local environmental organisations

By creating local environmental and catchment plans and expanding their capacity to run volunteer and training programmes focused on biodiversity, water quality and nature-based solutions  

Key Assessment criteria

Projects will be assessed based on the benefits they deliver across three key areas:

  • Nature – How the project supports nature recovery, biodiversity, habitat creation, and ecosystem restoration.
  • Water – The project's impact on water quality, natural flood management, and healthy water systems.
  • People – How the project engages communities, improves access to nature, and supports wellbeing.

Apply

If you have reviewed the criteria and believe your project qualifies, please submit an application.

Small Grants – up to £10,000

Small grants of up to £10,000 are available to apply for.

Apply Now
Small Grants – up to £10,000 image

Larger Grants – up to £250,000

Applicants applying for these grants will first be asked to submit an Expression of Interest and will then be invited to submit a full application if the EOI is successful.

Apply Now
Larger Grants – up to £250,000 image

Any further questions? 

Please email us on NatureRecovery@southwestwater.co.uk.

Key Information & FAQ Document