Disadvantaged Sunderland communities can connect with nature thanks to huge funding grant
Thousands of people in disadvantaged communities across the city will be able to connect with nature thanks to an environmental programme being awarded over £300,000 of lottery funding.
City of Nature Sunderland, a community programme benefiting more than 3,500 local people, is to receive £326,543 over three years from the National Lottery Community Fund.
The money will be used to provide a roving environmental hub and workshops which will visit communities across the city providing practical environmental activities promoting sustainability, wellbeing, and community empowerment.
Activities will feature nature-based workshops on themes including Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Energy Saving, Winter Wildlife, and Habitat Creation.
Inclusive sessions, tailored to cultural and accessibility needs, will be delivered in community venues, and residents will have the chance to co-design activities as well as have a voice in decisions that affect their local environment.
The announcement was made by Durham Wildlife Trust and the International Community Organisation of Sunderland (ICOS), which are partners in delivering the project.
Graeme Jobes, Nextdoor Nature Officer at Durham Wildlife Trust, said: “We are thrilled that this very significant funding allows us to bring nature to the heart of Sunderland’s communities, empowering residents to take action for nature and sustainability.
“We are so grateful to players of the National Lottery because, without their support, important community projects like this wouldn’t be possible.”
Michal Chantkowski, development and services manager at ICOS, added: “We are grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for funding this important project. The funding will enable ICOS to connect diverse communities across Sunderland with nature and inspire them to take positive action.
“By combining our expertise in inclusion with Durham Wildlife Trust’s environmental knowledge, we can make a real and lasting difference for both people and nature in Sunderland.”
The programme aligns with Sunderland City Council’s “Nature Towns and Cities, Connecting Through Nature” initiative, “ensuring investment in green spaces is matched by investment in people”.
“These exciting projects will come together to create a lasting legacy of environmental action and community leadership across Sunderland,” added Mr Jobes.