Environment Agency
Could Environment Agency fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £10,000 – £1,000,000
- Where they fund
- England
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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gov.ukAbout Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is a public body that funds projects to improve England's water environments and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from lowland peat. Their mission centres on protecting and enhancing the environment through evidence-based action. They work in partnership with a wide range of organisations, offering targeted grant programmes that address specific environmental challenges. Their values emphasise scientific rigour, long-term stewardship, transparency, and collaboration. Their funding character is focused on practical, project-based interventions that deliver measurable ecological benefits.
What Environment Agency funds
The Environment Agency supports projects that improve local water environments, such as habitat creation, flood and drought mitigation, and biodiversity enhancements. They also fund work to safely raise water tables in lowland peat soils, with a primary focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Wider benefits like sustainable land use are encouraged. They fund capital works, project delivery, feasibility studies, training, and research. All funded projects must take place in England.
Who can apply
A wide range of organisations can apply, including registered charities, community groups, social enterprises, schools, faith groups, land managers, and public bodies. They do not fund individuals. Applicants should have projects that align with the specific priorities of each grant programme. The Environment Agency values collaborative and evidence-led approaches.
What Environment Agency doesn't fund
The Environment Agency does not fund activities that are a condition of a tenancy agreement or form part of a public body's obligations. They exclude costs already covered by other funding, costs incurred before award, lobbying, political or wholly religious activities. They also cannot fund input VAT that is reclaimable, fines, charges, dividends, or contingency costs.
How they like to fund
The Environment Agency offers multi-year grants for some programmes, such as the Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant, and one-off grants for others. They do not require match funding. They accept unsolicited applications through their open grant programmes. Their funding style is project-based, supporting both capital and feasibility work. They fund through targeted programmes that address specific environmental challenges.
How much does Environment Agency give?
Environment Agency runs 4 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 51 sourced facts
- Next deadline 26 September 2026
- Next deadline 18 September 2026
- Multi-year funding
- Online application form
- Single-year grants
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Environment Agency funds — and what they won't
This grant funds projects that improve local water environments.
The full exclusions list (2)
- Cannot fund costs already covered through other funding, costs incurred before award, meeting legal obligations, lobbying, political or wholly religious activities, input VAT reclaimable, fines, charges, dividends, contingency.
- The grant cannot fund activities that are a condition of a tenancy agreement or form part of obligations as a public body.
Good to know
How to apply to Environment Agency
Environment Agency takes applications via online form.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Environment Agency's application asks
We hold the 17 questions from Environment Agency's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“1.1.1 Applicant name(s)”
“1.1.2 Applicant job title”
15 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Environment Agency could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Environment Agency provide?
Environment Agency runs 4 grant programmes — Local Water Environment Grant: Up to £100,000 · Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant: £100,000 – £2,000,000 · Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF): £10,000 – £100,000.
Where does Environment Agency fund charities?
Environment Agency funds charities operating in England.
Does Environment Agency accept unsolicited applications?
Environment Agency accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Environment Agency not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Cannot fund costs already covered through other funding, costs incurred before award, meeting legal obligations, lobbying, political or wholly religious activities, input VAT reclaimable, fines, charges, dividends, contingency.; The grant cannot fund activities that are a condition of a tenancy agreement or form part of obligations as a public body.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Environment Agency?
Environment Agency takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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Could Environment Agency be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.