Conservation and research projects across the south west could be given a boost through the launch of phase 5 of an environmental support scheme by Wessex Water.

Organisations are being encouraged to apply to the company’s Partners Programme, which provides financial support to develop projects that benefit the environment within the Wessex Water region.

The programme will provide funding to projects between April 2015 and March 2020 and for the first time ever the programme will have two funding options.

Dave Jones, a regulatory scientist at Wessex Water, said:

“We’re excited that for this phase of the programme we’re looking for three or four major projects who will receive funding of between £15,000 and £20,000 annually over the next five years.

“There will also be the opportunity for one or two standalone projects to be supported every six months, over the next five years. For these projects an individual payment of between £2,500 and £5,000 will be available.”

Applications for the major grant award will be open until Friday 19 December 2014 and the first applications for the small grant award will be open from 1 to 30 April 2015.

The Partners Programme has been an integral part of Wessex Water’s Biodiversity Action Plan since 1998 and the company will be looking to work with organisations on projects that conserve and enhance wildlife in the Wessex Water region, particularly those working in river catchments, undertaking wildlife science and research and working out how the firm can apply an ecosystem services approach to its work.