South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has launched a Tree for Everyone Grant Fund, part of the region’s ambitious Million Trees project, which aims to plant 1.4 million trees—one for every resident.
The fund offers a total of £50,000 in grants ranging from £250 to £2,500. It’s open to anyone in South Yorkshire who wishes to plant trees on land where planting rights are secured and where the project will provide public and environmental benefits. Unlike the Free Trees for Communities scheme, which provides packs of 50 trees to community groups, this fund offers more flexibility, covering costs such as trees, equipment, surveys, or professional support for eligible projects.
Applications and Key Details
- Round One Dates: Open from Friday 24 January 2025 to Friday 21 February 2025
- Projects must plant trees or develop initiatives during the current tree planting season and use all funds by 31 March 2025.
- A second round will launch later in 2025 for projects with a longer timeline, to be completed by March 2026.
To apply or learn more, visit southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/tree-fund.
A Message from the Mayor
Mayor Coppard emphasised the project’s importance, saying:
“I’ve made no secret of the fact that I want to plant 1.4 million trees, one for every person who lives in South Yorkshire. Trees enrich our lives, sustain our communities, and provide countless environmental benefits. That’s why I’m so proud to open this new Grant Fund, enabling people across Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster, and Sheffield to create a healthier, greener South Yorkshire.”
Partnering for a Greener Future
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has partnered with South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) to deliver the fund. SYCF’s Michelle Dickinson highlighted the initiative’s transformative potential:
“Planting trees is a simple yet powerful way to create a healthier and more resilient South Yorkshire. This unique project promises to leave a lasting, positive impact on our region—both now and for future generations.”
Whether you’re an individual, organisation, or community group, this grant offers a chance to play a part in shaping South Yorkshire’s greener future.
