Education - Funding and advice

There are a number of funding opportunities or schemes to help education settings become more sustainable.

Click on the expandable boxes below to find out more about some of the schemes on offer, or read National Education Nature Park’s guide on funding opportunities for biodiversity improvements and outdoor learning.

Match My Project

Match My Project connects businesses with community organisations and residents to deliver social impact in local communities.

Schools can explain what help they need or outline projects where they need specific support. Businesses can then find projects they might want to support to meet their social value or corporate social responsibility requirements.

It could help schools get projects done for free with the expertise and resources of businesses working in Solihull.

For more information, visit Match My Project’s website.

npower Business Solutions Foundation

npower Business Solutions Foundation is a fund which is designed to help create stronger, greener and more sustainable communities.

What you could get

Funding of up to £100,000 could be available to support projects which improve the environment, forge stronger community bonds, and improve places and spaces.

Projects considered for a grant could include energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures, waste reduction and recycling initiatives, or improvements to outdoor environments.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be schools, colleges, academy trusts and other education settings based within a 50-mile radius of npower's offices in Solihull (B91 3ES).

How to apply

For more information and to apply, visit the npower Business Solutions Foundation website.

UK National Association for Environmental Education (NAEE) school bursary

Schools can bid for NAEE funding to take their pupils to outdoor centres for hands-on learning opportunities in the natural environment.

What you could get

NAEE offers school bursaries of up to £400 to cover centre fees and transport costs.

Bursaries can be used for visits to Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Mount Pleasant School Farm, and Martineau Gardens.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to schools that have limited or no access to green areas on their site.

Successful schools are asked to write a short piece about your visit and how it linked to your work in school for NAEE’s journal Environmental Education.

How to apply

Applications can be made until the deadline on Friday 14 February 2025 at 5pm.

To apply, visit NAEE’s website.