The Coastal Capacity Building Scheme funds local projects in coastal areas in Wales, bringing together partners to tackle the climate emergency.
The Coastal Capacity Building Fund enables communities to take action in Welsh coastal areas to support nature recovery and sustainability.
COASTAL CAPACITY BUILDING FUND NOW OPEN!
The Coastal Capacity Building Fund has been relaunched for 2025-27, following a successful round of projects in 2023-25.
Funding will be distributed via the Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) and projects are run in partnership with the local LNP Co-ordinator.
The fund aims to build capacity for community partners, helping them to deliver sustainable action that supports growth and recovery in local marine and coastal areas.
It encourages collaboration between stakeholders, such as communities, businesses, local authorities and other public bodies, and build networks that foster nature recovery and rejuvenation in coastal areas. All projects must meet at least one of the fisheries objectives of the Fisheries Act 2020.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Any new or existing partners with an interest in supporting their coastal communities can apply. To apply you will need to contact your Local Nature Partnership Co-ordinator who will act as the lead applicant for the funding. For more information please email lnpcymru@wcva.cymru.
ABOUT THE FUND
The scheme has a yearly budget of £260,000 available for projects of seven months or more, with a minimum value of £20,000. All projects must be complete by 31 March 2027.
Welsh Government is funding the scheme from 2025-27, building on its investment in local nature recovery through the Local Nature Partnerships.
WHAT WE’LL FUND
Some examples of the kinds of activities the fund could support:
- Delivering the fisheries objectives, as outlined in the fisheries strategic approach
- Developing skills, knowledge and networks/partnerships to engage with marine and coastal issues
- Carrying out scoping exercises to look at reducing carbon emissions in the marine/coastal environment
- Increasing public understanding of local eco-systems and how to manage and use them responsibly
- Implementing recycling initiatives
- Conducting research into local environments and the impact of climate change
- Improving local seafood supply chains and their sustainability
- Fostering sustainable recreation and tourism
- Building understanding of how to improve water quality
Developing environmentally friendly food packaging
PROJECTS WE FUNDED
Wild Elements
Primary school pupils in Anglesey were encouraged to connect with their local marine environment
Wild Elements worked with Anglesey Local Nature Partnership to engage schoolchildren by increasing understanding and awareness of marine and coastal environments, their significance, the challenges faced, and how to help overcome them and support nature recovery.
The project aimed to deliver 12 sessions to 12 primary school classes, engaging 288 children and 24 teaching staff. Previous similar studies were shown have a significant impact in encouraging interest and appreciation of nature, as well as having positive educational outcomes.
Through hands-on games and activities, the project helped introduce the children to Anglesey’s vibrant marine environment and highlight the impact climate change would have on it.
They also learnt how individual behaviours can impact nature recovery and the environment and learnt how to make positive changes that will benefit nature, marine and terrestrial life, and the environment.
It also aimed to raise awareness of jobs and careers in the environmental sector and encourage further study at university.
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW)
Participants at workshop in Porthcawl discuss barriers to the community’s ability to support the local environment
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) worked with the Ceredigion Local Nature Partnership to explore the barriers that are limiting coastal communities’ capacity to tackle climate change.
The project looked at addressing two key barriers:
- Poor communication and a feeling of not being listened to
- People not feeling they have the knowledge or capacity to play their part in marine and coastal issues
They brought together volunteers and local stakeholders in Porthcawl and Aberporth who might not have been involved in local environmental activities before, such as farmers, local businesses, and community police officers.
Participants learnt a lot from each other, for example how businesses could support community activities, and pressures facing local businesses that the community may not be aware of.
The project created a good space for people to network and share the community-led sustainability activities that were happening, but they also identified that improved coordination and support was needed for ‘sustainable community action’ in the area.
Flintshire Coast Films
A local fisherman in Connah’s Quay was interviewed as part of a project to raise awareness of the benefits of getting involved with the local coastal environment
The good work by local volunteers, organisations and businesses risked being overshadowed by crime in Connah’s Quay in Flintshire. To combat this a project run by the Flintshire Local Nature Partnership sought to showcase the benefits of engaging with local coastal areas by producing films featuring local stakeholders.
The project engaged 40+ volunteers as well as local business owners and filmed a range of stakeholders such as a local chef, fishermen, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), and a local influencer.
People who engaged with the project were amazed at the local wildlife present in what is perceived as an urban area. The project brought about the discovery of common lizards on an old landfill site which led to plans for creating a natural habitat for the breeding ground via the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust.
Filming with RNLI Flint also enabled the organisation to highlight the dangers of the estuary, encourage its safe use, and promote the work by their team of volunteers.