It's Your Space is primarily a website resource to inspire local people to apply for funding to transform a community space including parks or gardens on their doorstep. It gives links to a variety of funding sources and advice on applying, and gives many examples of local people who have already taken things into their own hands. It encourages people and organisations to sign up to the Manifesto for Better Public Spaces and explains the essential ten ingredients that make a great public space.

For more inspiration and information visit www.itsyourspace.org.uk/ or telephone 0161 872 0901

The People's Places award scheme is run by BTCV, and is open to community groups in rural and urban areas across England. Awards are targeted at communities living in areas of deprivation and at disadvantaged groups. It offers groups a chance to make a difference to their community by creating or improving a "people's place". This could be an area of land that could be turned into a community garden or park, or a building that the group wants to turn into an environmental community resource. Awards of £3,000 to £10,000 are available and guidance and eligibility notes are provided on the website.
For more information visit www.btcv.org/ppawards/intro.html or telephone the People’s Places Award Unit on 01491 821621

Barclays SiteSavers a partnership between Barclays Bank, Groundwork, the Wildlife Trusts and BTCV. This programme helps people get more involved in making decisions about where they live, and to understand the benefits sustainable development can bring. SiteSavers can help people improve the appearance of their streets, parks and estates and encourage them to adopt healthier lifestyles. Successful projects help communities to get to know their neighbours and can reduce crime itself and the fear of crime.

For more information on SiteSavers, or to get help and support through the scheme, visit www.barclays-sitesavers.org.uk or telephone 0121 236 8565

A partnership scheme involving Groundwork, GreenSpace, the Experience Corps, the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens and the Wildlife Trusts. This scheme provides grants to help people improve open spaces in their neighbourhood, so they can create valuable places for the whole community to enjoy. Living Spaces provides help for people who have good ideas, but don't know how to put their plans into action. A network of trained Living Spaces Enablers are on hand across the country to turn your ideas into reality.

Visit www.living-spaces.org.uk or telephone: 0845 600 3190

GreenSpace (formerly Urban Parks Forum) is a not-for-profit organisation set up to help those committed to the planning, design, management and use of public parks and open spaces. GreenSpace is a membership organisation dedicated to promoting the importance of public spaces whilst increasing awareness of related issues.It promotes the regeneration of public parks and open spaces in towns and cities throughout the UK and support the investment being made in these important social and cultural assets. It organises a number of events, produces publications and good practice information, and its website www.green-space.org.uk/Links/funding.htm has invaluable information on how to find the right fund for your project or enterprise, and how to make an application for funding.

For more general information visit www.green-space.org.uk or telephone 0118 946 9060

This Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) funding scheme awards grants for voluntary groups from £25,000 up to £250,000 per year. In order to qualify for a grant the project must fit in with the Government’s sustainable development objectives and have a clear work plan.

To find out if you are eligible for a grant, how to apply and guidance notes for applicants visit www.defra.gov.uk/environment/eaf/index.htm or call 020 7082 8680.