Groups in North Ayrshire are being invited to bid for up to £5,000 of funding which is being made to support community tree planting alongside the council’s ‘North Ayrshire’s 2030 Woodland Grant Fund’.

The fund is open to non-profit, community groups and organisations that provide a service both within and for the people of North Ayrshire. Applicants must be constituted and have a bank account.

Launching this week, £25,000 has been made available from the council’s tree planting fund for distribution to such groups.

It is hoped it will help assist during the upcoming planting season, from October of this year until March 2023.

The council’s tree planting strategy was introduced last year and sees a commitment to plant over 100,000 trees in the county before 2030 ends.

It is part of the wider commitment for the area to become ‘net-zero by that time, in response to the ongoing climate emergency.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, cabinet member for Green New Deal and Sustainability, said: “We are delighted to be launching our Woodland Grant Fund. It offers financial support to community groups who are looking to undertake tree planting in a bid to make North Ayrshire a greener and more sustainable environment.

“Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the world and we all have a part to play in helping to tackle the issue. Tree planting is a simple yet effective way you can play a part.”

Applications for funding for the 2022/23 tree planting season will close of October 31, 2022. The maximum amount of funding towards a project is £5,000 and money must be spent and trees in the ground by March 31, 2023.

All applications will be reviewed and assessed with decisions on funding applications will be made within eight weeks of the submission date.