Evaluation of Local Places for Nature: 2021-22

The three different strands of the Local Places for Nature programme were found to compliment each other. This was due to the different size/scale and focus of each strand. There were tensions identified in delivering places for nature in urban, peri-urban or disadvantaged areas as part of a Wales-wide programme. It was noted meeting programme criteria was harder in more rural parts of Wales.

There were concerns raised at the end of March 2022 about delivering within tight funding deadlines.

Generally, awareness of the work of Local Places for Nature was identified as a way to ensure buy-in and further work through the programme. This included communicating projects to councillors and within Local Authorities. It also appeared that groups were not always aware of the opportunity to progress along a pipeline within the programme to apply for funding through other programme strands.

Each strand showed good progress in starting to engage with under-represented groups. Project leads felt confident about the community benefits their project was delivering. The report also recommends future methodologies to engage communities in areas where Local Places for Nature is delivered.