How to apply

This three-year joint initiative between Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) helps with the restoration and regeneration of public parks and gardens, including squares, walks and promenades in England.

Please note:  The final deadline for stage one applications is 30 September 2008. No further stage one applications will be accepted after the September 2008 deadline under this version of the programme. From April 2009, HLF will continue its investment in the Parks for People programme, with agreed funding of some £20million each financial year for parks in the UK.  We will make some changes to the programme to simplify the application process in line with other programmes. Click here for details of these changes and application timetables  Welsh Version

Funding for parks in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will offer same the opportunities and use the same assessment processes as in England, but will be managed solely by the HLF.

To apply for this grant, please follow these steps: 

STEP 1 - Before you apply
Prior to applying for a grant please read through the following information:

Is it right for you?
• For this grant programme, the term “public park” means an existing designed urban or rural green space, the main purpose of which is for informal recreation and enjoyment. It includes parks, gardens, squares, walks and promenades.
  
  Although we expect most applications through this programme to be led by local authorities, we welcome application from other not-for-profit organisations that own public parks.
  
  You can apply through this programme if:
• your project is concerned with a public park;
• you are a not-for-profit organisation; and
• you need a grant of between £250,000 and £5 million (including development grant).
  
  You will also have to show us that:
• your community values the park as part of their heritage;
• the parks meets local social, economic and environmental needs; and
• the park actively involves local people.
  
  Do I have to contribute anything to my project?
  You will need to raise at least 25% of your project costs from other sources, either as cash or non-cash contributions (this is your partnership funding). At least 5% of this partnership funding must be cash from your own resources.
  
  Additional Guidance Notes These guidance notes will help if you are thinking about applying to us for a Parks For People grant.
• Parks for People leaflet (pdf file 868 KB)
• A brief outline of the programme (pdf file 112 KB)
• Getting Started (word file 56 KB)

STEP 2 - Pre-application advice

Submit a pre-application form
If you believe that your project meets the criteria for this grant, please complete and submit our pre-application for to receive further help on applying for a grant:

• Pre-application advice form for England
• Pre-application advice form for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales: English language | Welsh language 
  
  Contact your regional/country development team 
• For further help and advice please contact your regional/country development team.

STEP 3 - Submit an application

• When are the closing dates and deadlines for stage one applications and project planning grants?
  We make decisions using a two stage application process.  Stage one is competitive and has two closing dates each year – 31 March and 30 September.  The final deadline for stage one applications is 30 September 2008.  No further stage one applications will be accepted after the September 2008 deadline. 
  The Parks for People project planning grants scheme is now closed.  No further applications will be accepted.
  
• What happens when the programme closes?
  HLF is committed to continuing funding for Parks for People and will make some changes to the programme to simplify the application process in line with other programmes.   

Download the application pack
At the moment we offer all the information you will need to apply for a Parks for People grant in: