Foundation for Common Land awarded major grant to strengthen the future of England’s Commons
The Foundation for Common Land (FCL) has been awarded a £236,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its new project, Leading Change for Common Land. The grant marks a major step forward in securing the future of England’s 400,000 hectares of Common Land and the communities who care for them.
Commons make up just 3% of England, yet they hold extraordinary value:
82% of commons lie within National Parks and protected landscapes.
They safeguard 200,000 hectares of peat soils vital for tackling climate change.
Over 30 million people visit and enjoy them each year.
They preserve centuries-old cultural traditions of farming and land management.
Today, commoning faces mounting threats, including financial pressures, changing policy, climate impacts, and complex land management challenges. Without intervention, this ancient way of life, and the benefits it brings for nature, heritage and people, risks being lost.
The Leading Change for Common Land project will see FCL:
Commission independent reviews into governance, income generation and communications, building a stronger and more resilient organisation.
Appoint a new Head of Operations, giving FCL the capacity to lead change nationally.
Trial innovative new approaches, including support networks for commons associations and advisors in the South West, and a community engagement project to connect local people and volunteers with commons heritage.
The project serves as a springboard to a more resilient future, helping us ensure that commoning continues to support biodiversity, climate resilience, culture and traditions, rural communities, and the landscapes we all love.
“Commons are an irreplaceable part of England’s heritage, culture and environment,” said Julia Aglionby. “This grant gives us the capacity to lead change and ensure these places and communities thrive for generations to come.”
