The Mayor of London has committed more than £4.6 million to community-led environmental projects aimed at expanding green and blue spaces across the capital and improving resilience to
climate change.
The funding, announced as the Chelsea Flower Show Chelsea Flower Show opens, forms part of the second round of the £12 million Green Roots Fund, a flagship programme launched by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to restore and enhance nature in urban neighbourhoods.
Community projects receive £3.5m boost
A total of £3.5 million has been awarded to 33 local projects across London, with grants ranging from £10,000 to £500,000. The initiatives are designed to improve parks, rivers, wetlands and community gardens, while also strengthening local resilience to flooding, heatwaves and pollution.
Among the funded projects is The Tree Council The Tree Council, which has been awarded £358,600 for its Young Tree Champions Living Labs programme. The initiative will train teachers and young people in tree planting and environmental stewardship, with a focus on schools in deprived areas most vulnerable to climate impacts.
In Hackney, Natural Neighbours Natural Neighbours will receive £80,500 to transform sites including Priory Court and Homerton Grove Adventure Playground into wildlife-rich green spaces, alongside training local “Natural Champions” to maintain them.
Meanwhile, Spitalfields Crypt Trust Spitalfields Crypt Trust has been awarded £30,000 to support people affected by homelessness and addiction, providing gardening skills and helping restore a public garden in Shoreditch.
Focus on trees and climate resilience
An additional £1.1 million has been allocated to a large-scale tree equity programme, which aims to deliver up to 5,000 climate-resilient trees in neighbourhoods most exposed to heat, flooding and air pollution.
The initiative is designed to reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality and lower flood risk, while increasing access to shade and green infrastructure in underserved communities.
Long-term strategy for greener neighbourhoods
The Green Roots Fund builds on previous work under the Grow Back Greener Fund Grow Back Greener Fund, which supported more than 135 projects between 2020 and 2023, particularly in areas with limited access to nature.
The first round of the Green Roots Fund, announced in October 2025, provided £3.5 million to 26 projects, including a major river restoration effort led by Thames21 Thames21 in partnership with Enfield Council Enfield Council to restore three kilometres of the Salmons Brook catchment.
Other projects included rain garden installations on the Brockwell Park Estate in Lambeth, supported by Lambeth Living Streets Lambeth Living Streets, and the creation of an accessible garden in Kingston by the Kingston Society for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities Kingston Society for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities.
Expanding access to nature
City officials say the investment reflects a growing recognition that access to green space is closely linked to public health and social equality. More than one in five households in London lack access to a private garden, making public green spaces a critical resource for wellbeing.
The latest funding round is now open for applications, with community groups and organisations invited to apply before the deadline on 28 May.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to award the second round of funding from my Green Roots Fund to support 33 brilliant organisations and community groups to deliver more green, blue and climate resilient spaces for our city. In addition, communities in areas most affected by rising temperatures will benefit from thousands of new trees".
“Everyone should have access to nature, which is why we’re empowering London’s communities to transform their neighbourhoods through these new blue and green spaces. I urge Londoners to get involved and apply for the next round of funding, closing later this month. Increasing access to nature whilst helping to ensure the city can cope with climate change is a vital part of how we can continue to deliver a greener, healthier and fairer London for everyone.” Photo by DAVID HOLT from London, England, Wikimedia commons.
