Partnerships & joint initiatives

The Federation is involved in a number of partnerships and consortiums, as well as being an integral part of several Government initiatives. Working with other organisations in this way allows the Federation to extend its influence and range of work much further than would be possible by working on its own.

Many of these initiatives have direct benefits for our members and help to raise the profile of issues such as sustainability, healthy eating, education, social enterprise and neighbourhood regeneration, that our members tackle at grass-roots level.

Below is an outline of our main partnerships and the initiatives we are involved in. Our schools and education partnerships can be accessed via the main menu above.

Allotments Regeneration Initiative (ARI)

ARI was launched by FCFCG on behalf of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation in 2002.  The project is currently funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Department for Communities and Local Government, and the Fund for the Environment and Urban Life. It aims to support and develop allotments regeneration and the creation of brand new allotment sites in the UK, and gather and disseminate information about good practice in allotments management.

The National Care Farming Initiative (UK)

NCFI(UK) was created to promote the concept and effectiveness of care farming and to co-ordinate, support and resource the work of individuals, businesses and charities already working in this area. NCFI wants to provide a voice and supportive services for care farmers, to inspire decision makers and to develop policies and actions that will support care farming in the UK. Its vision is to see thriving farms and landscapes providing social, educational, therapeutic and development opportunities.

Local Food Programme

Local Food is a £50 million Big Lottery Fund programme that will distribute grants to a variety of food-related projects to help make locally grown food accessible and affordable to local communities. The Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens led the development of the Local Food Programme. The programme will be closed to applications from August 21, 2009, due to high demand.

Community Spaces programme (Community Spaces)

Community Spaces is a £50 million lottery funded open grants scheme providing funding and support to community groups across England.  The scheme will help groups create or improve green and open spaces to improve the quality of life in their neighbourhood.

Urban Green Spaces Partnership (FCFCG & GreenSpace)

A partnership between FCFCG and GreenSpace, funded by Communities and Local Government, which aims to support people working at and using parks, community gardens, city farms and allotment sites.