Caring for the Cotswolds is a grant scheme designed to keep the Cotswolds a special place to live, work, and visit. We like to support small, grassroots organisations, where our grant will make a big difference.
For 2025-2028, this grant scheme is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are offering more community grants to support the Cotswolds National Landscape.
Opening now for applications!
We are now open for applications to Caring for the Cotswolds.
Background
Caring for the Cotswolds is an established scheme with a strong track record and good governance. We have a dedicated Grants Coordinator, Grants Panel, and Youth Panel, who are all there to support applicants and develop great projects.
There have been two phases of the scheme:
- From 2025-2028, three themes focused on Nature, Communities and Climate. In this phase we expect to make £130,000 in grants and this is being supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and business members.
- From 2013-2025, four themes focused on Conservation of habitats and species, Heritage and Landscape, Improving Access, and Education. During this phase, we supported 64 projects with a total grant value of £84,565. We were able support these projects through the generosity of our business members and their customers.
If you would like to find out about our business members and how to support the scheme, please take a look at our ‘Supporting Caring for the Cotswolds’ page.
Project highlight - butterfly habitat - nature recovery
Project summary
Enhancing woodland habitat for highly threatened pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly. CftC funded practical management to improve the extent and quality of the specialised breeding habitat of some of the only known colonies in the south west.
Benefits
- More open, flower-rich, sunny spots favoured by the butterflies
- More common dog-violets, the caterpillar’s main foodplant
- Increased abundance and distribution of butterfly population
Project highlight - black poplar trees - nature recovery
Project summary
Facilitating the natural regeneration of the black poplar tree, the rarest native timber species in the UK. CftC funded the creation of a database of black poplars in the Cotswolds and the foundation of a three-counties wide project to facilitate the propagation of black poplars and establish a diverse clone bank.
Benefits
- Conserve genetic diversity of black poplar
- Self-sustaining black poplar population throughout the Cotswolds
- Restore balance and vitality to our ecosystem
- Provide essential habitat for woodpeckers, owls and variety of insects
Project highlight - crane restoration - community
Project summary
Restoration of six-ton stone quarry hand crane (circa 1864). CftC part-funded the restoration and transportation of the crane to its original site of manufacture at the historic Stothert & Pitt in Bath, reputed as “… the most famous crane makers in the world…”. This project showcases local cultural heritage for the benefit of the community.
Benefits
- Conservation of a valuable heritage asset at a World Heritage Site
- Physical reminder of the historical importance of quarrying in the Cotswolds
- Public access to freely view the crane and learn about its history
Project highlight - improving access - community
Project summary
This project sought to improve access to the countryside for under-served communities. The work supported learning and group-working sessions on a community farm for local people with learning disabilities. CftC funded gardening equipment, plants, seeds and compost, and facilitator time to plan and run the sessions.
Benefits
- Participants felt more connected to the landscape and to each other
- Participants learned about organic farming, environmental protection and biodiversity
- Participants physical and mental well-being improved
- Community farm has greater capacity to run further sessions
About National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.