TERMS AND CONDITIONS: NATURE HUBS GRANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
About the fund Recent Hubbub polling shows more than a third of people (36%) in the UK spend less than an hour a week in green or natural space, and more than half face a barrier to accessing nature. However, we know many excellent groups are already striving to bring more green spaces to their communities. To support and enhance this work, we’re funding around 50 green space initiatives with up to £6,000 of funding per project. This grant fund is offered to help bring nature closer to people and people closer to nature through projects that fit into one of four themes: increasing access, bringing people together, upskilling the community, and building climate resilience.
Eligibility To apply for this funding your organisation must be: • • • •
Based in the UK with a project location in England, Scotland, or Wales.* Have not received Food Hubs funding from Hubbub after July 1st 2023. Within 5 km of a Starbucks store.** Organisations must be legally registered bodies and be able to provide a Registered Company/Charity Number where applicable.
*Unfortunately, The Nature Hubs Fund is not currently operating in Northern Ireland. **Starbucks wants to increase access to green space in the communities its stores are in. All applicants must be within a 5km radius of a Starbucks store, and it is desirable that projects are based within a 3km radius. Please measure this using Google Maps – we will ask for your organisation’s postcode in your application. Further guidance on measuring distance is given in the application guidance. In addition, we can only accept applications if your group meets one of the following organisational types seen below. • • •
Non-profit organisations such as voluntary, youth or community groups, resident groups, community associations, schools, and more. For profit companies (as defined by the Companies Act 2006), only where the project clearly meets the fund criteria delivering strong community and nature access benefits. Community Interest Companies and Social Enterprises***
***The fund is open to social enterprises that have a clear charitable mission, that can demonstrate the positive difference they are trying to make, and which reinvest profits to further their social mission, and/or which, in a ‘wind-up’ situation, pass remaining assets on to another non-profit social enterprise that has a charitable purpose.
The grant is not open to the following: • • • • • •
Party political organisations. Local councils. Sole traders or individuals. Organisations and projects in Northern Ireland. Organisations that are not within 5km of a Starbucks store. Organisations who’ve received Food Hubs grant funding through Hubbub after 1st July.
If you’ve recently received funding from Hubbub’s Community Fridge Network Food Hubs fund, please read the below to ensure you are also eligible for Nature Hubs funding: • •
You will not be eligible for this funding if you received Food Hubs grant funding through Hubbub after 1st July 2023. You may apply if you received food hub funding before February 2023 (i.e., you received the first instalment and signed the Grant Fund Agreement) but you must be applying for a new Nature Hub activity or demonstrate how this is an expansion upon the greening activities you’re already running.
Please note The Nature Hubs Fund is different from Food Hub and Community Fridge funding, which groups can apply for as well as Nature Hub funding.
Application timeline • • • •
Groups can apply from 9am Thursday 9th of November. The closing date for applications is 3pm on Thursday 11th of January. We will not be accepting applications beyond this deadline. Hubbub will inform successful and unsuccessful applicants by the end of February 2024.
Each application must provide a “primary contact”, along with a “secondary contact” who can represent the project in the “primary contact’s” absence. Both the lead and secondary contact should have read the Terms & Conditions and be authorised to act on behalf of their organisation.
Funding timeline Funding timeline: • February/March 2024: First payment installation after signing the LOA, 80%. • August 2024: Second payment installation, 10% upon completion of light touch, 6-month reporting. • February/March 2025: Final payment, 10% upon completion of final reporting. The Fund will support projects for a one-year period as will be detailed in the Grant Fund Agreement. Applicants must be able to provide certified bank details for their registered organisation.
Criteria Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
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Accessible site: The green space project needs to be publicly accessible and free to access.
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Location: All projects must be located within a 5km radius of a Starbucks store (3km is desirable). A map of Starbucks locations can be found here. Please measure using Google Maps (see further detail in application guidance) – we will ask for the postcode of your proposed project location in the application. o Please note, The Nature Hubs Fund is looking to fund a diverse range of projects across England, Scotland, and Wales so location, project type, and audience will impact the selection process.
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Timing: The project should start for the 2024 spring-summer growing season. (Desirable: Having sufficient project elements set up by April 2024 to host a volunteering session with a local Starbucks store that month – see below ‘Starbucks store connection’ for more information.)
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Feasibility: Applications should show a clearly defined project that is feasible within the suggested timeframe and budget. You should demonstrate you have permission to work on the proposed site or space and show it will be publicly accessible.
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Experience delivering projects: Your organisation must be fully operational and be able to demonstrate that you’ve delivered previous projects successfully. (Desirable: experience working with communities, access to a volunteering network and strong storytelling/communication abilities are all helpful qualities).
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Community cohesion: We’re looking for projects that bring people and communities together around nature and green spaces. It’s not just about bringing nature closer to people, it’s also about how your Nature Hub brings people closer to nature too.
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Need for green space: Applications should demonstrate evidence of community need for a green space project. We’re particularly looking to fund spaces in dense urban areas but will consider any area where there is need for new or enhanced green space, that meets the other criteria. Applications should identify which groups are likely to benefit from the activity. We are keen to engage a range of audiences including age, gender, race, and ethnicity demographics. (Desirable: Being open to sharing knowledge about the green space with other grant fund winners).
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Measurable: You should demonstrate how you’ll show the impact of your project including any data or case studies you might collect to bring this to life. You’ll be required to share some simple information with us on progress at project milestones, by completing a short form at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months during the project year, along with photos and short quotes at 6 months and 12 months. Hubbub will provide templates for this.
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Starbucks store connection: You should be open and willing to be connected with a local Starbucks store, which may be able to donate used coffee grounds to support healthy soil, donate coffee and snacks for community events, provide volunteers to help build the green space, or advertise community activities via instore community boards, etc.
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Legacy: Winning projects will show that they’ll create a lasting, positive legacy and identify how the project’s benefits will continue beyond the funding period.
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Theme: The initiative must relate to one or more of the four themes outlined below. We will ask you to specify which theme your project falls under in the application form.
Project themes In a nutshell, Nature Hubs will bring people closer to nature and nature closer to people. We will support groups to create or enhance green spaces: applications must meet the criteria outlined above and relate to any one or more of these four themes: 1. Increasing Access • To bring green space to an area where there is limited access to nature, e.g., by creating or enhancing a community garden, a green roof, increasing biodiversity in an urban area, or other similar ideas. And/or to encourage a particular demographic who might not otherwise or rarely access an existing green space to visit. 2. Bringing People Together • To bring people together and create community connection in/around a shared green space. Think activities like community growing, plant sharing, coffee and chats, or youth activities. 3. Upskilling the Community • To teach community members new skills and encourage health and wellbeing through spending time in green space Think workshops and/or events taking place in green spaces, how-to guides on increasing nature connection, or training around nature-based activities. 4. Building Climate Resilience • To make an existing space more climate resilient and engage the local community on climate issues. Think changes to buildings and urban spaces that increase resilience to heatwaves, drought, coastal flooding, or sea-level rise, while fostering community connection in the green space.
What can funding be spent on? The up-to-£6,000 funding (amount is subject to review based on project scope) will support projects for one year following the activity set-up period, as will be detailed in the Grant Fund Agreement. Applications must be submitted for a minimum of at least £3,000. Please note: the funding should show in the organisation’s accounting as a restricted fund. Funding can go towards the following: • • • •
Materials relating to the Nature Hub activity (e.g., plants, gardening equipment, tools, paint). Utilities relating to the delivery of the project activity (e.g., power or water). Staffing costs to cover the time spent planning and delivering the activity. Services from external suppliers such as building labour costs, garden design, etc.
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Volunteer expenses such as public transportation costs, materials & refreshments for volunteering days. Display materials, signage, and information. Training for the activity delivery team such as safeguarding.
Funding must support a specific and discrete project, be additional to existing expenditure plans and not cover core operational costs, however in certain cases, funding may be used to fund a person’s time. If funding a person(s) time 75% of funds may go toward the salary, but 25% must relate directly to creating or enhancing the green space. E.g., you might be looking to fund a new position to bring more people to an existing green space, but at least 25% of funding must be spent on the space itself.
How to apply The link to the application form is available on our main funding webpage once the application window is open. Please contact us directly if you are unable to complete a digital application: naturehubs@hubbub.org.uk.
Key conditions of funding to note •
Organisations will be selected from the pool of member applicants. Successful applicants will be offered funding for a period of one year.
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By submitting an application, organisations agree to Hubbub’s decisions relating to the fund being final and binding. Hubbub reserves the right, at their sole discretion, to disqualify any applicant.
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To receive funding, organisations will be required to sign a Grant Fund Agreement which will be provided should the application be successful.
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Organisations may apply for more than one grant so long as the project locations are distinct and near to separate Starbucks stores.
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Applications must be completed in English.
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Applications must not violate the intellectual property rights of any other person or entity.
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If an applicant has deleted, lost, or damaged an application, it is at Hubbub's discretion as to whether they may reapply. In this instance, please notify us via: naturehubs@hubbub.org.uk. Such request will be agreed at the sole discretion of Hubbub. Proof of sending or submitting an application may not necessarily be deemed proof of receipt by Hubbub.
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Applications from a collaboration of organisations or partnerships are welcomed.
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Each Applicant shall appoint a lead “representative” to represent it and act on its behalf, including registering and entering an application, along with a secondary contact who is able to act in the “representative’s” absence. The representative must be authorised to submit on behalf of the organisation.
Selection process • •
The grant panel will make a decision before the end of February 2024. From the pool of applications received, a selection panel will choose the successful applicants. Successful applicants will then be contacted and offered a grant of up to £6,000 (minimum £3,000).
Should a successful applicant wish to accept the grant offer, they will be required to sign a mutually agreed Grant Fund Agreement between Hubbub and the applicant organisation. Organisations will not be eligible to receive grant funding until they have signed their Grant Fund Agreement with Hubbub. An Applicant will be deemed ineligible if: • They refuse to provide further requested information; and/or • Both the main or secondary contact are uncontactable for a period of more than 14 days during the application process
Reporting Successful grant recipients will be required to report back to Hubbub on the outcome and impact of their project through a short form at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after project initiation, along with photos and short quotes at 6 months and 12 months. Details of the timings and requirements for the reporting will be provided as part of the Grant Fund Agreement. Successful applicants will have six months from receiving funding to show they have set up their project and will be required to report back on progress and the impact of their green space initiative. Applicants should be open to taking part in volunteering activities with their local Starbucks store sometime in April.
Privacy Any personal information collected from you when entering the Programme is subject to the privacy policy located here.
Contact us If you have any questions regarding these T&Cs or this grant fund, please have a look at our FAQs on the Nature Hubs webpage or email us at naturehubs@hubbub.org.uk