The Hardy Orchid Society (HOS) promotes the conservation, cultivation, scientific study and sustainable enjoyment of the wild orchids of Britain, Europe and other temperate regions. HOS supports safeguarding wild orchid populations and preserving wild habitats for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Hardy Orchid Society Conservation Grants aim to encourage communities to incorporate orchid conservation work into their environmental initiatives by contributing a small sum to help protect and enhance wild orchids and their habitats. We plan to announce the award of one or more grants to a total value of up to £1,500 each within five weeks of the funding round closing date, which for 2024 is January 22nd 2024.

Eligibility

Funding is available for projects submitted by any kind of organisation including charities, community groups, schools, voluntary organisations, special-interest groups and individuals. We would normally give priority to organisations where our grant would represent a substantial percentage of their income.
In this 2024 funding round, projects must be entirely based within the UK. Domestic garden projects will not be considered.
Work must be ongoing or planned to commence within 12 months of the grant date.
HOS will consider providing additional funding to projects that have already secured commitments from other funding organisations provided that that funding will enhance the conservation outcomes.
In any one funding round an applicant can make a single project application. Multiple applications by the same applicant will not be considered.
The application must state exactly what the funds will be used for and provide prices for the actual make and model of the equipment desired and quotes for external work.

Successful applicants must agree to providing HOS with annual updates on progress until project work has been completed and a final summary of results has been submitted. Projects achieving good results may be recognised with an Award, and a HOS plaque may be provided for display on the site.

Application Guidelines

The Application Form asks for details about the applicant, affiliation, contact, site location and the amount requested (maximum £1,500). This should be accompanied by a project outline. All decisions taken by HOS are final.

The closing date for the 2024 funding round is 22nd January 2024 by which time completed applications as email attachments must have been received by HOS, sent to email address hoscon@hardyorchidsociety.org
Grants are made to projects that specifically address the conservation, promotion and sustainable enjoyment of native wild orchids and the protection and sensitive management of their habitats.
Applications for funding must summarise the key features and expected orchid conservation outcomes of the proposed project.
Each application will be assessed on its own merits.

Application and Application Form

Applications should be made in electronic form only and should include a completed Application Form together with a description of the proposed project. This should be in the form of a separate document in a digital form (pdf or Word) of one to two pages using a font no smaller than Calibri or Times Roman 12pt. This should address the following elements.

Current condition of the site: Information is needed about the site in its present state. This should be a broad habitat description (meadow, woodland, acidity, wetness etc) and details of past use, including any past agricultural activity and its impact.
Flora including orchids present: Which wildflowers, including orchids, are present and how well are any existing orchid populations faring (stable, increasing, decreasing)?
Proposed project: What will the grant be used for? Provide details of habitat management to enhance the site for the benefit of orchids. These orchids may be present already but alternatively their re-introduction where locally extinct might be a valid project aim. Describe the work proposed and give a breakdown of how the funding will be used.
Longer term management: What plans have been made for the longer-term management of the site so as to maintain and enhance the outcome of work supported by the grant?
Access and community engagement: To what extent is the site open to the public? Does its future maintenance involve a local community group or group of volunteers?
Vision for the future: If your project is successful what do you expect the gains to be in terms of a future for orchids on the site? Give your vision for the site at the end of the grant and into the future.

Include at least one photograph of the site (no more than five sized 2.5 Mb or less) and if possible an illustrative map of the proposed project site. Please send all the information by email(s) not links.

Checklist

Make sure to include the following in your application:

A completed Application Form: download the pdf using this link and save it - the pdf is in a form format with editable fields in which you can type information and save it. Include this completed pdf form in the material that you send to HOS by email (hoscon@hardyorchidsociety.org).
A description of the proposed project in the form of a separate Word document or pdf following the guidelines above.
One or more (maximum 5) photographs in jpg format of the proposed project site.
An illustrative map of the proposed project site if possible.

Download this guide as pdf

Download the Application Form

Eligibility

In this 2024 funding round, projects must be entirely based within the UK. Domestic garden projects will not be considered.

Work must be ongoing or planned to commence within 12 months of the grant date.

HOS will consider providing additional funding to projects that have already secured commitments from other funding organisations provided that that funding will enhance the conservation outcomes.

In any one funding round an applicant can make a single project application. Multiple applications by the same applicant will not be considered.

The application must state exactly what the funds will be used for and provide prices for the actual make and model of the equipment desired and quotes for external work.

Successful applicants must agree to providing HOS with annual updates on progress until project work has been completed and a final summary of results has been submitted. Projects achieving good results may be recognised with an Award, and a HOS plaque may be provided for display on the site.

Application Guidelines

The Application Form asks for details about the applicant, affiliation, contact, site location and the amount requested (maximum £1,500). This should be accompanied by a project outline. All decisions taken by HOS are final.

The closing date for the 2024 funding round is 22nd January 2024 by which time completed applications as email attachments must have been received by HOS, sent to email address hoscon@hardyorchidsociety.org

Grants are made to projects that specifically address the conservation, promotion and sustainable enjoyment of native wild orchids and the protection and sensitive management of their habitats.

Applications for funding must summarise the key features and expected orchid conservation outcomes of the proposed project.

Each application will be assessed on its own merits.

Application and Application Form

Current condition of the site: Information is needed about the site in its present state. This should be a broad habitat description (meadow, woodland, acidity, wetness etc) and details of past use, including any past agricultural activity and its impact.

Flora including orchids present: Which wildflowers, including orchids, are present and how well are any existing orchid populations faring (stable, increasing, decreasing)?

Longer term management: What plans have been made for the longer-term management of the site so as to maintain and enhance the outcome of work supported by the grant?

Access and community engagement: To what extent is the site open to the public? Does its future maintenance involve a local community group or group of volunteers?

Vision for the future: If your project is successful what do you expect the gains to be in terms of a future for orchids on the site? Give your vision for the site at the end of the grant and into the future.

Include at least one photograph of the site (no more than five sized 2.5 Mb or less) and if possible an illustrative map of the proposed project site. Please send all the information by email(s) not links.

Checklist

Make sure to include the following in your application:

A completed Application Form: download the pdf using this link and save it - the pdf is in a form format with editable fields in which you can type information and save it. Include this completed pdf form in the material that you send to HOS by email (hoscon@hardyorchidsociety.org).

A description of the proposed project in the form of a separate Word document or pdf following the guidelines above.

One or more (maximum 5) photographs in jpg format of the proposed project site.

An illustrative map of the proposed project site if possible.