Biodiversity Investment Fund Eligibility Checker – HS2 Community and Business Funds

You need to complete this online eligibility checklist before you can access the BIF Stage 1 application form; a link to which will be provided at the end if you are eligible.

Please read the BIF guidance document before proceeding.

If you have any questions or queries when completing the eligibility check, please contact Groundwork UK at HS2BIF@groundwork.org.uk.

Name*

Prefix First Last

Organisation Name*

Address*

This must be the main address of the proposed project.

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region Postcode of proposed project site (or nearest building)

Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Keep me informed

* Your data will only be used by the Federation of Groundwork Trusts and will not be shared with 3rd parties. You can unsubscribe at any time. The Federation of Groundwork Trusts | Charity registration number 291558

Keep me informed

I would like to receive updates about HS2 Funds

I would like to receive updates from Groundwork

Does your project solely focus on or have a major element of woodland creation or the restoration of Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS)?*

No

Yes. And I have checked the HS2 Woodland Fund guidance and my project does not fit the criteria for that Fund

Yes

Sorry, your project may not be eligible.

If your project has a focus on Woodland Creation or PAWS restoration it may be more suitable for funding through the HS2 Woodland Fund and you should consider this before submitting an application to BIF.
You can find out more about the HS2 Woodland Fund here

Does your organisation meet both of these requirements?*

Set up not for profit and set up for public benefit

Yes

No

Sorry, your organisation is not eligible.

If your organisation is not set up for public benefit and is not for profit, you are not eligible to apply. For more information about eligibility please see the BIF guidance document.

Are you a statutory body?*

Yes

No

If you are not a statutory body, does your organisation have all of the following?*

A governing document (e.g. constitution or memorandum and articles of association) which includes appropriate statements on members not benefiting financially from the organisation or its dissolution
● No unmanaged debts or liabilities
● At least 3 unrelated or non-cohabiting members of your committee/governance body
● Suitable governance controls to manage funding from HS2 Ltd (e.g. regular committee meetings, financial reporting etc.)
● Your own bank account with a minimum 2 unrelated signatories.

Yes

No

Sorry, your organisation is not eligible.

If your organisation does not meet our governance and management requirements then you are not eligible to receive public funding. These requirements are designed to safeguard any investment we make. You may find these links useful
Starting a group
Setting up a charity

Will your project create or restore an area of ecological habitat to enhance biodiversity?

Yes

No

Sorry, your project is not eligible.

The main aim of the BIF is to create or restore ecological habitats and cannot fund any other project types. You should check your eligibility for the CEF programme or other sources of funding.

Some useful links:
Grantfinder
The National Lottery Community Fund
My Funding Central

Does your project have a link to disruption from Phase 2a HS2 construction?*

Before answering this question, please review the Phase 2a Environmental Statements (ES).
You can find information here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hs2-phase-2a-environmental-statement

Section 8 in the Community Area Reports identify local effects on biodiversity find out more about the https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-phase-2a-environmental-statement-volume-2-community-area-reports-and-map-books here

Section 7 in Volume 3: Route-wide Effects also details the effects of construction on biodiversity: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/629579/E10_Volume_3_WEB.pdf

Please also refer to the HS2s Common Place website for information about construction and disruption in each local area: https://hs2.commonplace.is/

Yes

No

Sorry, your project is not eligible.

Projects funded by BIF must have a link to and must reference HS2 Phase 2a disruption from construction. You should look for other sources of funding.

Some useful links:
Grantfinder
The National Lottery Community Fund
My Funding Central

Will you be able to produce an Ecological Assessment and Management Plan (EAMP) including using the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric for your site(s) by September 2022?*

Please note you will be able to apply for costs to produce the EAMP in your Stage 1 application. Please find further information relating to the EAMP guidance and DEFRA Biodiversity Metric on our website.

Yes

No

Sorry, your project is not eligible.

An EAMP of your site(s) is a requirement of the Stage 2 application. You should check your eligibility for the CEF programme or other sources of funding.

Some useful links:
Grantfinder
The National Lottery Community Fund
My Funding Central

Do you or will you have the landowner’s permission (verbally or written) to deliver the project and for the project site to be maintained and monitored for 30 years prior to submitting a Stage One application?

Yes

No

Sorry, your project is not eligible.

You cannot apply unless the landowner has given permission for the project to be delivered and is willing for the project to be maintained for 30 years, allowing biodiversity monitoring to take place. You can find a link to the Landowner Permission Form on our website.

You should check your eligibility for the CEF programme or other sources of funding.

Some useful links:
Grantfinder
The National Lottery Community Fund
My Funding Central

Are you looking for funding for any of the following?*

● Personal equipment and clothing other than safety wear for volunteers
● Purchasing vehicles
● Buying land for future use (for example where the benefits to biodiversity will not be realised by the project you are applying for funds for or to prevent future development)
● Projects intended primarily for private gain
● Projects that contribute directly to a company’s distributable profits
● To help with budget shortfalls, debt repayments or endowments (including funds to build up a reserve or surplus and loan repayments)
● Retrospective funding – we will not reimburse costs already incurred
● Costs for activities that are primarily for the promotion of religion, religious belief or faith. For example safety work to gravestones, religious events.
● Any project or activity that may bring HS2 Ltd, its sub-contractors or its partners (including Groundwork UK) into disrepute.
● Projects that do not meet the ‘Additionality’ principle (set out below)
● Costs for delivering curriculum activity
● Unspecified expenditure
● Costs associated with fundraising or bid writing
● Any project where funding will be passported to other organisations (for example though a grants programme)
● Organisational overheads or running costs which the organisation would incur whether the project was running or not (although we will consider funding support costs incurred as a direct result of running the project)
● Costs associated with campaigning or lobbying
● Feasibility studies
● Any activity that would be in breach of State Aid rules
● Business rates and subsidies
● Car parking subsidies
● Road safety measures or improvements including speed cameras or vehicle activated signs, speed bumps or other speed reduction measures such as speed tables, speed cushions, priority narrowing or chicanes, installing or enhancing pedestrian crossings (including Puffin, Zebra, Toucan, Pelican and Pegasus) or junction improvements or changes to road layouts
● Maintenance/upkeep of pavements, public rights of way or public footpaths

Yes

No

Sorry, your project is not eligible

If you have answered yes to any of these costs, your project is not eligible for funding through this programme. You should look for other sources of funding.

Some useful links:
Grantfinder
The National Lottery Community Fund
My Funding Central

Your project is eligible

Based on the responses you have provided, your organisation and project appears to be eligible.

You can now begin the full application process. Click the Apply Now button below – this will also send you a confirmation email including the application link

Or access the application form at another time, saving this link for later: https://hs2bif.flexigrant.com/startapplication.aspx?id=7933

Thank you for your interest in the HS2 Biodiversity Investment Fund, and we wish you success in making a full application.