Portsmouth City Council has launched a new greening fund to help the environment

A new fund has been launched to offer up £5,000 for greening projects which will provide grants for tree planting, engaging the community with green projects and connecting with nature.

The launch took place on October 24, and the fund is open until November 18, to coincide with the end of COP27 world climate conference, and applications for funding can be made through Portsmouth City Council.

Applicants will be scored by a set of criteria, which will include the response to the climate emergency and increasing tree canopy which will increase biodiversity.

On October 18, Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment at Portsmouth City Council, visited the community garden in Paulsgrove, which was created by people within the parochial church council and was supported by Portsmouth City Council as part of the Greening Portsmouth Strategy.

Cllr Barrett said: ‘It was excellent to meet the St. Michael’s and All Angels Church community garden organisers and volunteers. I was truly inspired by the work they have done to create the garden and involve the local community.

‘With this new fund, we want to support other community organisations and groups with greening projects so that more people can benefit from a greener city.’

The garden is visited regularly by the Beacon View Primary Academy children, the local Men’s Shed and GoodGym members, who all come together to help keep the space growing.

Not only is the garden a good way to grow food and plants, but it is also a tool to teach young people about the benefits of growing and the sustainability that comes with it.

The garden has a number of items within it including edibles and ornamentals, but the aim of the community space is to increase wildlife friendly areas in Hampshire.

The city is looking to fund more projects like the community garden in Paulsgrove to help make the area more environmentally friendly and encourage as many people to get involved with the maintenance of gardens and spaces.