Leading resource management firm, Veolia, is partnering with the council to offer grants aimed at boosting biodiversity in Southend.

The Sustainability Fund, which launches on International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, has previously backed projects like therapeutic gardening in public spaces and the development of a wellbeing garden at Garon Park.

In 2023 Veolia's Sustainability Fund supported a total of 10 grassroots projects, giving £4,900 in funding, working alongside Southend City Council.

Elias Watson, Greening Southend, said: "Veolia’s Sustainability Fund enabled us to run a series of brilliant community tree planting workshops.

"We managed to get hundreds of trees in the ground in local Southend green spaces, and by empowering the local community to take part in this action, hopefully these new plantations will be lovingly cared for by the community for years to come."

Applications can be made online till September 30 at veolia.co.uk/Sustainability-Fund.