The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has awarded more than £4.6 million to community projects across the capital to improve green and blue spaces and build climate resilience.
Announced as the Chelsea Flower Show begins, the funding includes £3.5 million from the second round of the Mayor’s £12 million Green Roots Fund, with grants ranging from £10,000 to £500,000. A further £1.1 million has been allocated to a large-scale tree equity project, which will deliver up to 5,000 climate-resilient trees in neighbourhoods most affected by rising temperatures, flooding and pollution.
Among the projects receiving funding is £358,600 for The Tree Council’s Young Tree Champions Living Labs project, which trains teachers and young people in tree-planting skills, focused on areas of social deprivation where climate risks are highest.
In Hackney, £80,500 will go to Natural Neighbours to transform two sites into wildlife-rich gardens and train local ‘Natural Champions.’ Meanwhile, Spitalfields Crypt Trust has been awarded £30,000 to support people who have experienced homelessness and addiction, teaching them gardening skills to revitalise a public garden in Shoreditch.
The new tree equity project aims to tackle the Urban Heat Island effect, where built-up areas absorb heat and become significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. Planting more trees helps cool the city, reduce flood risk and protect Londoners in communities that need it most.
Access to green spaces has proven benefits for physical and mental wellbeing, yet research shows more than one in five London households have no access to a garden. The Mayor has described access to nature a social justice issue.
Sadiq Khan, said: ‘I am delighted to award the second round of funding from my Green Roots Fund to support 33 brilliant organisations and community groups to deliver more green, blue and climate resilient spaces for our city. In addition, communities in areas most affected by rising temperatures will benefit from thousands of new trees.
‘Everyone should have access to nature, which is why we’re empowering London’s communities to transform their neighbourhoods through these new blue and green spaces. I urge Londoners to get involved and apply for the next round of funding, closing later this month. Increasing access to nature whilst helping to ensure the city can cope with climate change is a vital part of how we can continue to deliver a greener, healthier and fairer London for everyone.’
Organisations and community groups can apply for the next round of the Green Roots Fund until 28th May.
Photo: Antonio Vivace