Community Pollinator Fund FAQs

All projects should include habitat creation/improvement, along with engaging volunteers. These are two of the most important factors in your application so make sure to maximise these when planning your project. Projects can include:

• Creation of native wildflower meadows / patches
• Planting for pollinators – seeds & plugs, shrubs, fruiting bushes, native trees & fruit trees, hedging, herbs and other edible planting
• Natural regeneration of meadows through grass management
• Pollinator habitats e.g., bug hotels, log piles, compost areas, dead hedges, bee banks
• Food growing projects e.g., fruit trees, herbs, fruits and vegetables
• Education around pollinators e.g., community workshops, interactive planting sessions, community events
• Educational signs and boards explaining habitats and management techniques

The above list is not exhaustive. If your activity is not listed then do not worry! If you are unsure and want to ask us, then please contact the Pollinator Fund team at: bee.bold@westofengland-ca.gov.uk

Most applicable projects will no doubt support a wide range of benefits, but it is important that your application retains a focus on the Community Pollinator Fund’s main aims (creating or improving habitats for pollinators, along with engaging volunteers). If your project includes the following, we’d suggest you get in contact with us prior to making an application:

• Installation of beehives and/or introduction of non-native bee colonies
• Large amount of project funding on infrastructure (e.g., buildings, walls, paths, fences, polytunnels)
• Large amount of project funding on arts elements (e.g., sculptures, arts trails)
• Habitats mainly being in planters
• Spaces that are not open to community groups (excluding things like schools or high-risk communities)

It is an ambition of Metro Mayor Dan Norris to make the West of England the Bee and Pollinator Capital of the UK to help reverse the decline in our vital pollinators. Therefore, this Fund was set up to help support community-led ecology projects that enhance biodiversity and pollinator habitats across the West of England region.

We recognise that pollinators are only a part of the larger picture to address the ecological emergency declared within our region. We are taking action to improve all aspects of the natural environment through the Green Recovery Fund. You can find more information on our website.

Most applicable projects will no doubt support a wide range of benefits, but it is important that your application retains a focus on the pollinator benefits. If you have a project that has a wider nature focus and would like to work with us to help adapt it to focus more on improving or creating habitats for pollinators, then please get in touch: bee.bold@westofengland-ca.gov.uk

Match funding is your project’s financial contribution to the project and helps to maximise the benefits of the fund. It is compulsory for each application to contribute a minimum of 20% of the grant value towards the project.

There are type types of match funding: ‘actual’ and ‘in-kind’ and both are acceptable within your application.

1. ‘Actual’ match funding = financial cash contribution. For example, if your grant application is for £1000, then your organisation would contribute an additional £200.
2. ‘In-kind’ match funding = This is activity undertaken at the grant recipient or partner’s own cost and can include volunteer hours or value assigned to staff time spent on the project. If you are using volunteer hours, then do your research. The ONS estimated the cost of one volunteer hour as £13.09 in 2019.

Match funding can also be provided from other partners, and this can be ‘actual’ or ‘in-kind’.

We require organisations to have a group/organisational account to ensure that grant funds are allocated properly.

If your group doesn’t have a named bank account, that shouldn’t dissuade you from applying as there are a few options available to you. We suggest that you get in contact with the Pollinator Fund team (bee.bold@westofengland-ca.gov.uk) who can help talk things through with you.

Examples of options available:

• Obtain a group bank account & apply
• Link up with another established local community organisation (with a named organisation bank account), which might agree to be the lead organisation for the project
• Contact your local parish/town council who might agree to be the lead organisation for the project

We suggest in the first instance to contact us at bee.bold@westofengland-ca.gov.uk and we’ll be happy to discuss your project and give some tips. You can also ‘Register your interest’ on the Community Pollinator Fund webpage and provide a few details we can get in touch to talk to you!

We acknowledge that forms and spreadsheets can’t capture everything, especially when we don’t know you or your project! Applicants are encouraged to supplement their applications with ‘supporting information’ which can be in the form of:

• Photographs – show us your project site or examples of what you want to create
• Videos – show us your project site and/or pitch your ideas and vision
• Maps / diagrams / sketches – draw out what will go where and what it will include
• Testimonials – evidence your previous experience or success
• Quotes from suppliers – such as materials or staff costs relating to what you want to do in your project

We want to fund projects that will support the widest range of pollinating species that are at risk within our region. This includes beetles, bumblebees, butterflies, hoverflies, moths, solitary bees, wasps and many more.

Whilst honeybees can provide an important pollinating service, they are often in a colony of large numbers (on average 35-40,000 bees in the summer), which can outcompete other pollinators through sheer numbers. Therefore, we are focussing on projects that support a range of pollinators, rather than focussing on honeybees.

If honeybees are your thing, the British Beekeeping Association has a great interactive map showing the local beekeeping associations as well as tips on planting for bees during the different seasons of the year: https://www.bbka.org.uk/

We want to support as many projects and communities as possible whilst creating the most habitats for pollinators in our region.

There may be other projects that also do not meet the lowest grant amount, therefore there may be opportunities for different projects to join forces and create bigger, better and more joined up projects! Please get in touch with the Pollinator Team at: bee.bold@westofengland-ca.gov.uk, who will be able to discuss your plans.

Alternatively check out Team Wilder who have a map of Local Community Groups and projects within our region taking action for nature: https://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/team-wilder-community

That’s great news you want to help out pollinators in our region!

A key component of the projects we fund is engagement with the local communities and using volunteers to support the projects. We have provided the names of the projects funded in Round 1 on the website so you can check out what each project is doing and how to get involved. Alternatively, please get in touch with the Pollinator Team at: bee.bold@westofengland-ca.gov.uk who will be able to pass on your details to our funded projects.

Also, you can check out the Team Wilder team at Avon Wildlife Trust who have a map of Local Community Groups and projects within our region taking action for nature who may be looking for volunteers: https://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/team-wilder-community

The application period will close on 19th April 2023. We are expecting a very high volume of applications, therefore we aim to let you know the outcome by June 2023. If we have any queries relating to your application, we will aim to respond to you within 4 weeks of your application being submitted.

You can get in touch with us at bee.bold@westofengland-ca.gov.uk to discuss your application. We may be able to provide advice or provide examples of projects that have been run in similar spaces. Alternatively we have created a few ‘Project Ideas’ which may help get you started.

Also consider linking with groups in your local area that are already taking action for nature and may be able to support you. Avon Wildlife Trust’s Team Wilder page shows where action is being taken across the region. https://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/team-wilder-community

Every project is unique, and the approach used will depend on the location, resources, microclimate, type of organisation and type of space available. However, there are some general tips which will give your project a greater chance of success:

• Consider planting that will provide food resources for pollinators across the seasons and across the pollinator life cycle. For example, caterpillars and larvae have different needs to butterflies and hoverflies
• Consider habitats and shelters for pollinators to take refuge or hibernate in. This may include bee banks, bug hotels, log piles and dead hedges.
• Consider using recycled, repurposed, and/or reclaimed materials. This not only reduces the environmental impact of the project but also can save you money!
• Consider what type of planting is most suitable to the site. Consider the soil type, slope, existing plants, exposure, and direction of the site. Do your research to see what plants may have existed on the site before and may thrive in this environment with minimal management
• Consider signage. Pollinator habitats are often beautifully wild, but what is wild to one person may be considered messy to another! Signs explaining the habitat can help people understand the site’s importance and prevent against accidental damage and ‘tidying’.

Please check out these wildlife charity websites which have an abundance of free, online resources on how to make your space pollinator friendly.

• Bumblebee Conservation Trust – Bee the Change
• Butterfly Conservation Trust
• Avon Wildlife Trust – Team Wilder