There is a total of £350,000 available for projects in Ceredigion to help boost nature.

The Ceredigion Nature Partnership has launched its Local Places for Nature grants scheme for 2024.

At a quarterly meeting on July 29 at the National Trust property Llanerchaeron, the Local Nature Partnership announced the amount ready for distribution.

The scheme is now inviting applications for capital funding for projects worth up to £50,000.

Applications can be submitted by constituted groups, registered charities, companies, private businesses, and public sector organisations serving Ceredigion and benefiting nature and community.

Rachel Auckland, Local Nature Partnership coordinator, said: "The Local Places for Nature scheme welcomes applications for projects to create, restore, or enhance nature for the benefit of wildlife and deprived communities.

"We want to support projects which will bring nature back on people’s doorsteps, where they live, work and access public services.

"The focus is on underrepresented groups and disadvantaged communities, especially in areas with little access to nature.

"The maximum grant available is £50,000 but there is no lower limit and smaller groups and projects are encouraged to apply.

"This funding will enable wildlife organisations and community groups to improve places for nature and people.

"We hope it will encourage people to participate, to experience and value nature without doing any harm to the wildlife that’s already there."

Potential project ideas include creating green spaces on artificial structures in urban areas, planting street trees, orchards, woodlands or hedgerows, changing mowing practices to benefit biodiversity, or creating wildlife-friendly food growing spaces. It also includes applications for litter picking kits and wildlife survey equipment.

Budding applicants must demonstrate how they will sustain their project for at least five years post-funding.

Councillor Keith Henson, Ceredigion County Council's cabinet member responsible for highways, environmental services and carbon management, who is also the biodiversity champion, said: "It’s great to see that funding of this nature is available to make sure that we can see those little seedlings of an idea can grow into something big.

"This type of funding can help local places become the centre of activity for nature and enhance the biodiversity of an area along with increase mental health and well-being of those residents who live and visit there.

"Ideal source of funding for local groups to start those ideas off."

The closing date for applications is September 2.

The scheme is funded by the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature fund. For an application form or more details, email your project outline or any queries to biodiversity@ceredigion.gov.uk.