Grants awarded to outdoors projects

GRASSROOTS PROJECTS around Europe are set to deliver thousands of days of outdoor activities after securing support from the It’s Great Out There Coalition. In the latest round of #itsgreatoutthere grants, seven non-profit initiatives will receive between €1,000 and €5,000, which will help them to deliver over 2,000 ‘Outdoor Activity Days’ (OAD) in a natural environment, bringing together physical activity, inclusion and nature conservation. Projects in France, Finland and the UK will now be able to give many young people new experiences in the outdoors, safely and responsibly.

Launched in 2017 by the It’s Great Out There Coalition, the grants programme helps community-based projects that take new participants into the outdoors with a particular focus on younger and more diverse audiences.

Four UK projects have received grants. True Nature Project (in partnership with Equip Outdoors) leads inner-city young people and adults on hikes in the Peak District National Park. Outdoors to Share (Outdoor People) supports disadvantaged families in Hackney, London, to get outdoors, and will be able to fund six walks and two outdoor camping activities with the grant. Girls Count! Adventures support Black women by building their confidence and maths, storytelling and media literacy skills through small citizen-science type activities focused on the environment and the outdoor world. Finally, Minds Matter works with individuals to provide outdoor activity whilst addressing mental and emotional needs.

For more information about the #itsgreatoutthere grants programme, visit itsgreatoutthere.com/grants