The Countryside Agency's new 'Doorstep Greens' initiative, which will provide grants for urban and rural communities with little outdoor community space to create a Doorstep Green, is now open for business.
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Create a Green on your Doorstep - 26 June 2001

Two hundred communities across England are being given the opportunity to create places where everyone can play and relax by a new Countryside Agency initiative which is now open for business.
The £12.8 million 'Doorstep Greens' initiative, funded by the New Opportunities Fund's Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities scheme, will run for six years and provide grants for urban and rural communities with little outdoor community space to create a Doorstep Green. This Green could be a derelict piece of land that is regenerated to include a grassy area for community events and ball games, or a new green space that contains a nature garden, small orchard or just somewhere to sit and relax.

Countryside Agency board member, Luna Frank-Riley said: "It is undoubtedly the case that having a green area where people can relax and play is good for the body and soul. The Countryside Agency's Millennium Greens initiative, which worked with 250 communities to create permanent greens to mark the millennium, has shown that projects of this nature unite a community, giving people a common sense of purpose and achievement. The beauty of this scheme is that it is up to a community what their green space looks like and how it is used - it will be tailor-made to meet the leisure needs of local people. 

"We're now inviting applications from those communities who would like to improve their local environment by creating a Doorstep Green. Applications need to have strong local support, the Green must be safely accessible for everyone and be open during the day as well as involving the wider community in its design, creation and long term care."

A regional Doorstep Green adviser from the Countryside Agency will be on hand throughout the lifetime of the project to provide support and source expert advice to ensure it runs smoothly. A start-up grant of up to £3,500 will initially facilitate consultation with local people, planning and development of the project. If the plans are then successful a community will be able to apply for a main grant to acquire and create their Doorstep Green.

A leaflet containing details of the Doorstep Greens initiative (ref: CAX 52) is available from the New Opportunities Fund on 0845 000 0121 and information is available on the Countryside Agency website at www.countryside.gov.uk. Information on other Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities initiatives is also available from the New Opportunities Fund.

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Notes to editors

The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well being of the English countryside.

The New Opportunities Fund distributes National Lottery money to education, health and environment projects across the UK. The Fund works with national, regional and local partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors to fund initiatives, with particular focus on the needs of those who are most disadvantaged in society.

The Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities initiative, worth almost £100 million in England, aims to help communities understand, improve or care for their local environment, with a particular focus on disadvantage. Information about the initiative is available from the New Opportunities Fund on 0845 000 0121 or website www.nof.org.uk.