The Rivers Run Through Us Community Grant Fund helps communities across the Axe Catchment to take action to support the Kit and Forton Brooks and the communities that enjoy them.
This pilot fund for 2025/26 is financed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Water Environment Improvement Fund who are helping Rivers Run Through Us draw up a longer 5 year plan which will hopefully attract further Community funding that will be made available to the wider Axe catchment.
Whilst the Axe catchment is blessed with 12 wonderful sub catchments, 7 of these feed in to the River Axe Special Area of Conservation which is in not so good ecological condition. For this reason, we are seeking projects that are in or near to the pilot catchments of the Kit Brook and Forton Brook (see map), that would benefit from financial support to help improve their condition.
The aim of the grant scheme is to provide a very simple way for community groups to access small amounts of funding to kickstart or advance their group / activities. It may also be used to support the acquisition of much needed advice, equipment, and other resources.
Community action can make a huge difference to the local environment. And the rivers give back by providing a space for enjoyment and wellbeing. For this reason we are also including applications from community groups that would like to celebrate the river and all it has to offer.
Pilot project area
Eligibility criteria
All types of community groups with a river focus including wildlife, education, art & heritage.
This includes but is not limited to:
- Community wildlife/ art/ history groups
- Town/ Parish councils
- Schools and Multi-Academy Trust (MATs)
- Farmers as key landowners are also eligible
Please note:
Collaborative partnership among groups to maximise impact are allowed, however the application will have to be made by a lead partner.
Only not for profit groups and organisations are eligible.
What will be funded
The applicant must submit a clear and realistic proposal of how the funds will support a particular project or initiative idea. It must have clear community involvement and may inspire other communities to do similar projects.
Land management project examples
- Small scale management & restoration of river side habitats, e.g. pollarding, invasive species control. Can including tools, materials, training, or safety equipment
- Creation of new wildlife areas such as ponds, water meadows, small riverside woodlands, especially where they connect to the main river or it tributaries
- Nature based solutions to slow the flow, reducing the impact of flash flooding and increasing water storage, e.g. leaky dams and planting
- Water harvesting
Community project examples
- Creation of a new wildlife group or support for an existing one that seeks to monitor, educate, raise awareness, or take action for the Kit or Forton Brook
- A programme designed to connect young people to the river through art/ music/ dance/ drama for example
- Creation of citizen science monitoring programmes, catchment plans or invasive species management programmes run by volunteers such as balsam bashing
- Running a series of nature connection yoga sessions
Items suitable for funding examples
- Start-up costs and new activities
- Improving or developing existing activities
- One-off awareness raising activities
- Involving, managing or training up volunteers
- Running events
- Buying equipment
- Finding out about needs in your community
NOT suitable for funding
- Private sector bodies, or individuals who will privately benefit from the activities concerned
- Routine maintenance/repairs and other running costs
- Costs directly relating to statutory planning processes
- Activity of a political or lobbying nature designed to promote party political or religious causes (although applications from faith groups involved in local community work are welcomed)
- Projects where money is already spent (retrospective funding)
- Servicing of debt
- Staff time
- Self-payments e.g. cost of using your own venue
Applications will be scored using a points system, details can be found here:
Terms of funding
You can apply for grants of up to £5000. We however encourage more applications for smaller amounts so we can help more communities, minimum application £500.
Applicants cannot apply for more than £5,000 for any single project. However, an organisation could apply for more than one project in the same year. In this case, each project must be applied for separately and would be considered by each funding panel in isolation.
Please include a cost breakdown, and make sure all estimates / quotes are included. An example cost template can be found here:
https://blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/rrtu-cgf-application-finance-pilot.xlsx
Payments will be made by bank transfer to the account details provided. 50% can be paid upfront, with the remainder on completion of the project. You can provide bank details of a host if your group does not have a bank account. It should also be noted that the applicants remain responsible for all aspects of the work and Rivers Run Through Us will not intervene in disputes between applicants and suppliers and contractors. RRTU and the funding partners will not be liable for any damages, financial loss, etc. resulting from the group activities.
All successful candidates will be required to make a formal agreement with RRTU which includes:
- Providing progress updates; case studies/video evidence of the project when making a claim
- Completion of Volunteer record (if applicable), Feedback and Evaluation forms
- Participation in at least one focus group to share information and learning and explore the potential to develop Community Grant Fund further
Promotion and funder recognition
Grant recipients will be required to acknowledge Rivers Run Through us and National Lottery Heritage Fund when promoting or reporting on their project. Clear branding guidelines with logos will be provided and recipients will be asked to share examples of promotion where appropriate.
How to apply
If you think your project fits the outlined criteria click here to apply:
or download an application form here:
https://blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/rrtu-cgf-application-form-.docx
For further information about this grant scheme, or if you would like an alternative application format, please contact Jane Robertson (jane.robertson@devon.gov.uk) or call 07814 319309.
We ask that applications are submitted by 25 July 2025.
Next steps
You will receive feedback on your application within 6 weeks of application; we may call you or ask to visit any potential land-based activities.
You will receive a confirmation email with further information if your application is successful by 1 September 2025.
If successful, you will receive a funding agreement within 2 weeks of being notified of the outcome.
You must sign and return your funding agreement within one month of receiving it.
Once we have your signed funding agreement, we will make a payment request, and you can expect to receive your grant within 4-6 weeks from this point.
Funds will be deposited into your organisation’s bank account after the payment request has been made by our team.
We will try to complete the process as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your interest in the Rivers Run Through Us Community Grant.
