Northumbrian Water and sister company Essex and Suffolk Water are putting out a last call for new applications for environmental project funding before the deadline of the current round of funding approaches.

Photo courtesy Tees River Trust 

The companies’ Branch Out scheme offers grants of up to £25,000 to projects which benefit the natural environment, wildlife and local communities.

Since launching in 2013, Branch Out has awarded grants worth in excess of £410,000 across more than 105 different projects.

Northumbrian Water's Conservation and Land Manager, Stuart Pudney, said:

"We are immensely proud of our programme, which is helping to deliver local projects to reconnect habitats for the benefit of communities and wildlife. Building resilience is essential for supporting a healthy natural environment and for us to supply clear, great tasting drinking water.

"It's fantastic we can support local groups, organisations and charities in helping to make a difference to the communities we serve. I'd urge anyone with a deserving project, who is seeking funding, to apply."

Applications for Branch Out funding are reviewed every six months and are welcomed from organisations, community groups and individuals from the public, private, voluntary and education sectors within Northumbrian Water's operating area. The deadline for the current round of funding is February 28, 2020 with grants being awarded in March 2020.

Projects can also be supported by the water companies’ employee volunteering programme, Just an Hour, which allows employees to give a minimum of 15 hours every year to support community and charitable causes close to their hearts.